Giants at Rockies
San Francisco is 0-3 for the first time since 1984 and looking to avoid its first season-opening four-game skid since 1950 when it visits Colorado on Monday. The Giants were swept by the Diamondbacks in their opening three-game series and blew a six-run lead in Sunday’s finale. The deciding run scored when catcher Buster Posey pulled his foot on a force play at home. Colorado lost two of three in Houston in its opening series.
If they're to make a run in the NL West, the Rockies will have to do better than 5-13 against San Francisco as they did last season. Giants starting pitchers Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner and Matt Cain allowed 14 earned runs in 15 1/3 innings in the series against Arizona. Colorado also blew a late lead Sunday as Houston pushed across two eighth-inning runs for a 3-2 victory.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Comcast Sports BayArea (San Francisco), ROOT (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Barry Zito (2011: 3-4, 5.87 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jhoulys Chacin (2011: 11-14, 3.62 ERA)
Zito has been a major bust since joining the Giants as a free agent, compiling a 43-61 mark and never winning more than 11 games in five seasons. His 2011 campaign was interrupted by a foot injury and he spent September in the bullpen. Zito has been successful against Colorado, going 5-2 with a 2.60 ERA in 17 career appearances (15 starts).
Chacin started strong last season before losing 10 of his last 13 decisions. The Rockies like his arm and he limited hitters to a .231 average. He was bothered by a blister during spring training but recently said it is no longer an issue. Chacin is 3-3 with a 2.62 ERA in seven appearances (six starts) against the Giants.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is just 5-for-37 (.135) in his career against Zito.
2. Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval is 6-for-12 against Chacin.
3. Rockies first baseman Todd Helton is off to a slow start, going just 1-for-8 in the series against the Astros.