Things are getting serious in the National League West. Through Monday, the Arizona Diamondbacks a had won three straight and seven of nine while the San Francisco Giants had lost three straight, seeing their lead shrink to one game. <\/p>\n
Bet On Baseball \u2013 D-Backs vs Giants Preview & Pick<\/strong> Arizona Diamondbacks (60-49 through August 1)<\/strong> Can the D-backs keep their foot on the gas Wednesday afternoon? Jason Marquis will make his team debut after Arizona acquired him from the Washington Nationals before the trade deadline. <\/p>\n Somehow, Marquis manages to keep finding work and winning games. He\u2019s a pretty mediocre pitcher but his walk and homer rates aren\u2019t awful and he\u2019s turned out six quality starts in his last 10 outings. <\/p>\n Marquis also has a 2.47 ERA against the Giants for his career.<\/p>\n San Francisco Giants (61-48 through August 1)<\/strong> Can the Giants hold onto their lead in the West with the D-backs charging hard? Ryan Vogelsong gets the nod on Wednesday. He still hasn\u2019t turned into a pumpkin, losing just once in 17 starts this season and remaining part of the NL Cy Young discussion. Still, he\u2019s been a bit lucky, as his .271 opponents\u2019 batting average on balls in play suggests. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Knowing that Vogelsong\u2019s luck could turn at any moment, the Giants have to start scoring runs in a hurry. Their 28th<\/sup>-ranked offense hasn\u2019t topped four runs in 11 games. <\/p>\n New arrival Carlos Beltran is batting just .190 over 21 at-bats since coming over from the Mets in a deadline deal.<\/p>\n Over is 10-1 in ARI last 11 overall. The D-Backs are swinging the bats well lately and rank fourth in the majors in homers. Also considering that Marquis is pitched so well against the Giants, I\u2019m not sure that San Fran will score enough to keep pace.<\/p>\n Another X-factor: Arizona\u2019s bullpen looks great right now. J.J. Putz hasn\u2019t missed a beat since he returned from the DL and assumed the closer\u2019s reins; he has another great setup man to join David Hernandez in Brad Ziegler, whom Arizona acquired at the trade deadline. If the game is close, \u2019Zona\u2019s lights-out pen could be a difference-maker.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Wednesday, August 3, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>CSBA
\nArizona Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants Betting Lines from Sportsbook.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Giants -155<\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 7.5<\/strong>
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\nJason Marquis (8-5, 3.95)<\/p>\n
\nRyan Vogelsong (8-1, 2.23)<\/p>\nMLB Trends<\/h3>\n
\nOver is 10-1 in ARI last 11 on grass.
\nOver is 19-7-2 in ARI last 28 road games.
\nOver is 7-2 in SF last 9 vs. National League West.
\nSF are 9-3 in their last 12 Wed. games.
\nUnder is 29-12-1 in SF last 42 home games.
\nARI are 7-20 in the last 27 meetings.
\nUnder is 11-4 in the last 15 meetings.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick: <\/h3>\n