Phillies look to top Lincecum in rubber game

Aug 16, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder Chase Utley (26) rounds third base against the San Francisco Giants in the sixth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Phillies had a no-hitter thrown against them this season and Tim Lincecum threw one shortly after.

Given the way Lincecum has pitched lately, the Phillies have a good chance to take the series win on Sunday.  In his last four games, Lincecum has given up 20 earned runs in just 17 innings.  Four home runs have been hit off the righty in that time, the same number Ryan Howard has against him in his career.

Lincecum most recently came in for a two-out save opportunity against the Phillies.

The Giants offense will be hungry given they are struggling to stay in the National League West race lately.  David Buchanan (6-6) will again look to prove himself in place of the injured Cliff Lee.  The Giants are a new team to the 25-year-old Buchanan.  The Phillies and Giants are tied for 22nd in the majors with 476 runs for the season.

If Phillies outfielder Marlon Byrd can help it, he’ll try to add to that run total and boost his RBI streak. He’s driven in a run in his last four games, including last night which was his 70th this season.  Byrd is currently 6th in the National League in RBIs and is 3rd in the National League in home runs with 23.

This is the final time these two teams will meet in the 2014 regular season and the Giants currently lead the series 4-2.