Coming off only one of two days off in June, the San Francisco Giants will start their series with the Houston Astros in the only non-interleague game of the day. After struggling in his last start where he allowed a season-high-tying four earned runs and season-high four walks, Madison Bumgarner will get a favorable matchup at home against an Astros team without Carlos Lee and possibly without Jordan Schafer and Chris Johnson.
Thankfully for the Giants, they'll most likely be seeing the return of All-Star candidate Melky Cabrera after he missed the last three games with a strained right hamstring. San Francisco will definitely view their series against Houston as a way to climb back up the National League West standings after scoring only five runs and losing the overall series to the Texas Rangers over the weekend.
Houston starter Bud Norris will also look to this game as a way to get back on track. While he did strikeout a season-high 12 batters in his last start against the St. Louis Cardinals, Norris is winless in his last three starts since a stretch in May where he won four straight games and allowed only one earned run. In a National League Central division where they are only 6.5 games out of first place, Houston could still make a midseason run to the top if they can play better on the road.
Matchup:
The Houston Astros will play the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park located in San Francisco, CA on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 7:15 p.m. PST. This will be the first game in a three-game series. This is the first game between these two teams.
Season series:
This is the first game between these two teams.
Standings:
Houston comes into the matchup with a 26-34 record and in fifth place in the National League Central. They are 8-20 when playing on the road and have won four of their last 10 games.
San Francisco comes enters the game with a 34-27 record and in second place in the National League West. They are 19-13 when playing at home and have won seven of their last 10 games.
Starting pitcher matchup:
Houston: Bud Norris
2012 season: 5-3, 4.65 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 76 Ks
Numbers vs. Giants in last five years: 0-0, 2.57 ERA, 0.57 WHIP, 10 Ks
San Francisco: Madison Bumgarner
2012 season: 7-4, 3.26 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 62 Ks
Numbers vs. Astros in last five years: 1-1, 4.85 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 7 Ks
Where to watch and listen to the game:
The game can be watched live on MLB Network or viewed locally at the following:
In Houston: FS-H, KTRH 740, and KLAT 1010
In San Francisco: CSN-BA HD and KNBR 680
Batting statistic leaders:
Houston: Jose Altuve - .326 batting average, Jed Lowrie - 12 home runs, J.D. Martinez - 33 runs batted in.
San Francisco: Melky Cabrera - .364 batting average, Buster Posey - 7 home runs, Buster Posey - 33 runs batted in.
Next series on tap:
Following this series, the Astros will visit the Texas Rangers from June 15-17 and host the Kansas City Royals from June 18-20.
Meanwhile, the Giants' next two series will be on the road against the Seattle Mariners from June 15-17 and on the road against the Los Angeles Angels from May 18-20.
Sources:
Bud Norris Game Log, Yahoo! Sports
Ailing Astros heading west for clash with Giants, MLB.com
More from this contributor:
Ryan Theriot is Named San Francisco Giants Everyday Second Baseman: Fan's Reaction
Three San Francisco Giants Listed in First All-Star Voting Tally Update: Fan's Take
Fan's Preview: Will Cliff Lee or Matt Cain Win Phillies-Giants Series Finale?
Madison Bumgarner Enters Phillies Matchup with New Contract Extension: Fan's Preview
Giants' Tim Lincecum faces Phillies' Roy Halladay in great pitching duel: Fan's Preview
Austin Chang is a lifelong San Francisco Bay Area native, baseball fan, and supporter of the San Francisco Giants. Follow this Featured Contributor on Twitter @_austinchang.
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