Series Preview: Padres Look to Roll On vs. Giants

Jul 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; National League catcher Buster Posey (28) of the San Francisco Giants hits an infield single against the American League during the third inning of the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres (43-49) start a series against the San Francisco Giants (49-43) on a 4-game winning streak. The Padres are heating up at the right time and have gotten off to a perfect start in the second half. It will be a challenge to keep it up against a good Giants pitching staff.

The Giants are just 3.5 games back of the first place Los Angeles Dodgers. They are coming off of a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both teams enter this series with winning streaks of at least four games.

Game 1 Monday, 7:10pm

Ian Kennedy (4-9, 4.91 ERA) vs. Tim Hudson (5-7, 4.68 ERA)

Kennedy has three starts against the Giants this season. He is 1-1 and has not allowed more than one run in each of those starts. He is looking to bounce back from his previous start where he didn’t even get out of the 5th inning, allowing four runs.

Hudson will be coming off of the disabled list and making his first start since June 26th. He has not faced the Padres since his first start of the year on April 9th. He went 6 1/3 innings and did not allow a run but did walk five. He is 1-3 with a 3.28 ERA in 8 starts at Petco Park.

Offensive Player to Watch: Brandon Belt

Belt is having a solid season for the Giants. He has 9 home runs and 25 doubles. He also has an .813 OPS. In 31 career at-bats against Kennedy, Belt is hitting .323 with two home runs and four RBI.