Game 16 Preview: Padres @ Giants

The Padres look to add to their winning streak tonight as they open up a three-game set, and the season series, against the defending World Champions in San Francisco. Edinson Volquez was named the Padres "ace" when he was tagged as the Opening Day starter this season, but tonight he will be trying to follow the lead of the other pitchers in the rotation and get out of the pitching slump he's been in to start his season. Of his three outings so far, he has only reached the fifth inning once. In his most recent start he gave up six runs to the Rockies before being taken out after just 3 1/3 innings of work.

Although Volquez, and the Padres, have seen some early struggles this year, the last series against the Dodgers was beyond encouraging. Starting pitching finally seemed to get it together and new life was breathed into our offense, with players contributing from the top to the bottom of the lineup, off the bench, and out of the bullpen.

While San Diego looks to keep their winning streak going, San Francisco will be trying to end their losing streak. The Giants, who are 9-7 on the season, have just suffered a sweep at the hands of the Brewers. Tonight they will turn to Madison Bumgarner, who has been the winning pitcher in each of his three starts this season. Bumgarner is 4-3 with a 3.48 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 13 career games (12 starts) against the Padres.

He'll need to find a way to stop the Padres' hot offense, which combined for 22 runs over the three-game series in L.A. Everth Cabrera has gone 0-for-11 in his career against Bumgarner, but is batting .387 over his last eight games with two home runs. Chase Headley has hit .304 and Chris Denorfia has hit .406 against him all-time.