Year To Date Record: (18-18-1)(-7.05)
5* (0-1)(-7.10)
1* (18-17-1)(+0.05)
The San Francisco Giants are mired in a terrible slump. Starting with the 3-2 loss to Arizona last Thursday, June 16th where they had a chance to sweep the Diamondbacks and take a 3.5 game lead in the NL West, they have lost 5 straight. It has been a complete team collapse. Their starting pitchers of Lincecum, Sanchez and Bumgarner have lacked control. Only Cain showed a good outing. Their relievers have still been pretty solid for the most part, but their hitting has been atrocious or should I say non-existent. Over its five straight defeats, San Francisco has scored nine runs -- batting .031 (1 for 32) with runners in scoring position and .196 overall.
Today, it's Vogelsong's turn. He has been an excellent surprise in replacement of Zito but the right-hander has one win in his last six starts and did not get a decision Thursday in Arizona while allowing two runs over six innings and once again getting no run support.
Meanwhile, Minnesota is rolling along having won 8 straight and sends Nick Blackburn to the mound. Blackburn (6-4, 3.16), meanwhile, is seeking his career-high sixth consecutive win and has a 2.29 ERA over his last nine starts. He's also coming off his best performance over that stretch.
Blackburn scattered seven hits and walked one in eight innings Thursday to outduel four-time All-Star Mark Buehrle for a 1-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
"He's in complete control of the games," manager Ron Gardenhire said.
In his first matchup with the Giants (39-34), Blackburn will try to continue a dominant run for Minnesota's pitching staff, which owns a 1.88 ERA over the past 17 games.
This is a case of two teams going in completely opposite directions. The Giants are in deep trouble IMHO and don't see them snapping out of their funk tonight while the Twins should roll on.
5* Minnesota (+129) betonline
Good luck everyone!
5* (0-1)(-7.10)
1* (18-17-1)(+0.05)
The San Francisco Giants are mired in a terrible slump. Starting with the 3-2 loss to Arizona last Thursday, June 16th where they had a chance to sweep the Diamondbacks and take a 3.5 game lead in the NL West, they have lost 5 straight. It has been a complete team collapse. Their starting pitchers of Lincecum, Sanchez and Bumgarner have lacked control. Only Cain showed a good outing. Their relievers have still been pretty solid for the most part, but their hitting has been atrocious or should I say non-existent. Over its five straight defeats, San Francisco has scored nine runs -- batting .031 (1 for 32) with runners in scoring position and .196 overall.
Today, it's Vogelsong's turn. He has been an excellent surprise in replacement of Zito but the right-hander has one win in his last six starts and did not get a decision Thursday in Arizona while allowing two runs over six innings and once again getting no run support.
Meanwhile, Minnesota is rolling along having won 8 straight and sends Nick Blackburn to the mound. Blackburn (6-4, 3.16), meanwhile, is seeking his career-high sixth consecutive win and has a 2.29 ERA over his last nine starts. He's also coming off his best performance over that stretch.
Blackburn scattered seven hits and walked one in eight innings Thursday to outduel four-time All-Star Mark Buehrle for a 1-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
"He's in complete control of the games," manager Ron Gardenhire said.
In his first matchup with the Giants (39-34), Blackburn will try to continue a dominant run for Minnesota's pitching staff, which owns a 1.88 ERA over the past 17 games.
This is a case of two teams going in completely opposite directions. The Giants are in deep trouble IMHO and don't see them snapping out of their funk tonight while the Twins should roll on.
5* Minnesota (+129) betonline
Good luck everyone!
