Game Preview: Chris Rusin vs. Tim Lincecum

The Rockies, winners of five of the last six games, will try to maintain their undefeated record in San Francisco this season.

Chris Rusin makes the start for the Rockies. Rusin enters the game with a 5.03 ERA in six starts for the Rockies. He's had some shaky outings, but in general Rusin has been a decent presence in the rotation. The Rockies will look to him to continue the team's success in San Francisco. Today will be Rusin's second career start at AT&T Park. His first one was quite successful. In 2013, as a member of the Chicago Cubs, Rusin pitched seven scoreless innings and allowed just three hits and two walks in what amounted to a Cubs victory.

The Giants counter with Tim Lincecum. It's been a tale of two seasons for the National League's 2008 and 2009 Cy Young Award winner. In his first eight starts of the season, Lincecum posted a 2.08 ERA. He wasn't striking batters out like he did six years ago—he punched out 36 in 47.2 innings. Rather, he saw success by inducing contact and limiting the opposition to a .220 batting average.

We know, however, that balls in play are fickle things, so there was always worry that Lincecum's great start to the season wouldn't last. And, indeed, in Lincecum's last six outings, he has an ERA of 7.00. Batters have hit .303 against him during that time. The most significant difference, however, is that he's succumbed to the long ball. In his first 47.2 innings pitched, covering his first eight starts, he allowed just one home run. But in his last 27 innings, composing his last six starts, he's allowed six dingers.

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<h3>Today's Lineups</h3>

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<th align="left">COLORADO ROCKIES</th>

<th align="left">SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS</th>

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<tr><td class="td-last td-name">Charlie Blackmon - CF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Angel Pagan - CF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">DJ LeMahieu - 2B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Joe Panik - 2B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Troy Tulowitzki - SS</td><td class="td-first td-name">Matt Duffy - 3B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Carlos Gonzalez - RF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Buster Posey - 1B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Nolan Arenado - 3B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Andrew Susac - C</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Wilin Rosario - 1B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Brandon Crawford - SS</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Mike McKenry - C</td><td class="td-first td-name">Justin Maxwell - RF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Brandon Barnes - LF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Gregor Blanco - LF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Chris Rusin - LHP</td><td class="td-first td-name">Tim Lincecum - RHP</td></tr></tbody>

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