Padres at Giants
It figures to be an emotional scene Saturday at AT&T Park as San Francisco Giants veteran Matt Cain faces the San Diego Padres in the final start of his storied career. The Giants’ longest tenured player, Cain announced his retirement earlier this week, marking the end to a career highlighted by three World Series championships, the only perfect game in Giants history and a starting spot in the 2012 All-Star Game.
Buster Posey recorded three doubles and three RBIs in Friday’s 8-0 victory over San Diego, a win that ensures the Giants will avoid joining the 1985 club as the only ones in franchise history to record 100 losses. The victory means the team can focus its attention on Cain, who will turn 33 on Sunday. “This weekend will definitely be my last time putting on a Giants uniform, and I can’t see myself going anywhere else to play with another team,” Cain told reporters. “This organization has meant so much to me and so much to my family. It’s something that's dear to my heart. I’m just grateful that it's been a part of my life. I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve enjoyed it so much.” Cain will be facing a Padres team that has lost five in a row and been outscored 44-9 over that stretch.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jhoulys Chacin (13-10, 3.98 ERA) vs. Giants RH Matt Cain (3-11. 5.66)
Chacin took a no-hitter into the sixth inning last Saturday against Colorado and earned the victory after allowing one hit with six strikeouts over six scoreless innings. The 29-year-old native of Venezuela has gone 9-5 with a 3.01 ERA over his last 19 starts. Pablo Sandoval is 9-for-32 with three home runs against Chacin, who is 8-7 in 20 career games (19 starts) against San Francisco - including a 4-1 mark and 2.09 ERA in seven outings at AT&T Park.
Cain is making his first appearance since Aug. 31, when he allowed two runs over five innings in a 5-2 loss to St. Louis. The highly respected veteran has started 330 games in 13 seasons with the Giants, the second-most in the San Francisco era behind Juan Marichal (446). Cain, who brings a 104-118 career record into his career finale, has gone 8-14 with a 3.20 ERA in 38 games (37 starts) against San Diego.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Diego 1B Wil Myers has hit safely in nine consecutive games against San Francisco dating back to July 16.
2. Giants C Nick Hundley received the “Willie Mac” Award, named for Hall-of-Famer Willie McCovey and given to the team’s most inspirational player.
3. San Diego has a 7-0-1 series record against the Giants since the 2016 All-Star break.