After what seemed much longer than an eight-game road trip -- full of bad weather and one-sided games -- the Diamondbacks finally return to Chase Field, albeit briefly.
"It was kind of an interesting, long trip," manager Kirk Gibson said after a 12-8 loss to the Cardinals on Thursday.
The D-backs are only home for three games before heading out for six more on the road, but the home series is a big one with the division rival and defending champion San Francisco Giants. The D-backs still own first place in the NL West, but the Giants are just 2 1/2 games behind.
While the D-backs are 6-4 over their last 10 games, the Giants are just the opposite. Both teams look to make the series a pivotal early season weekend, and here's a little of what to look for:
PITCHING MATCHUPS: Friday -- LHP Patrick Corbin (9-0, 2.06 ERA) vs. RHP Matt Cain (4-3, 5.45). Saturday -- RHP Trevor Cahill (3-6, 3.27 ERA) vs. LHP Madison Bumgarner (4-3, 3.46). Sunday -- LHP Tyler Skaggs vs. TBA.
WHO'S HOT FOR THE D-BACKS: Friday starter Patrick Corbin has already outdueled aces Clayton Kershaw and Cole Hamels this season and gets a shot at another one in Matt Cain, who started in the All-Star Game a year ago. Coming off two rocky outings, Corbin will try to become the first D-backs pitcher ever to start the season 10-0. … We might as well give Paul Goldschmidt a permanent spot here because he won't cool off. After beating the Cubs last weekend on his first career grand slam, Goldschmidt did it to the Cardinals on Wednesday. He finished the four-game series in St. Louis 5 for 17 with eight RBI, two doublesand a home run. … Willie Bloomquist has returned with a bang, starting out with four straight multi-hit games. He's 11 for 18 (.611) in those games with two doubles.
WHO'S NOT: Cody Ross went just 1 for 12 at the plate in St. Louis, making him 3 for 23 with two RBI on the road trip… Saturday starter Trevor Cahill is having a bit of a streaky season and looks to break out of a little slump. Over his last three starts, Cahill is 0-2 with a 5.68 ERA. … After six shutout innings in his first inning, Tyler Skaggs followed up in St. Louis with five runs allowed on six hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Cardinals.
WHO'S HOT FOR THE GIANTS: Andres Torres has six hits in his last 24 at-bats but has four RBI, a home run a double and three walks in that stretch. … Since returning from a strained oblique May 3, reliever Jeremy Affeldt has allowed just one run over 15 innings spanning 16 appearances. He's 1-1 with a 0.60 ERA since returning.
WHO'S NOT: Catcher Buster Posey is 7 for 24 over his last six games and has hit three doubles but is without an RBI in that span. … Friday starter Matt Cain has been on and off this season, and his last time out was decidedly off. In six innings last weekend, he allowed seven runs on nine hits, none of them home runs. … Brandon Crawford is 9 for 33 over his last 11 games but has just one extra-base hit and no RBI in that span.
NOTES, QUOTES, ODDS AND ENDS: The D-backs play just nine home games tin June. … Tyler Skaggs on Sunday makes his third of what could be many starts for the D-backs season. Daniel Hudson was expected back in a few weeks from Tommy John but left his first rehab start this week with elbow stiffness. With Brandon McCarthy (shoulder) also on the shelf for at least a month, Skaggs could be in for an extended stay. …. The Giants have yet to officially name a starter for Sunday's series finale, but manager Bruce Bochy said it's "more than likely" Chad Gaudin would get the start after allowing two runs on four hits over six innings in his first start since joining the rotation of the bullpen to replace injured Ryan Vogelsong. … The Giants are 10-17 on the road this season but swept the D-backs in three games at Chase Field earlier this season.
