Cueto looks to rebound in opener vs. D-backs

The Giants and D-backs will meet for a ninth time this season when they begin a three-game divisional series at Arizona's Chase Field on Friday.

The Giants completed a four-game sweep of the D-backs the last time they were in Arizona in mid-May. The teams are 4-4 against each other in 2016, as the D-backs swept the Giants in a four-game set at AT&T Park in April.

Since the Giants' sweep of the D-backs in May, though, the teams have gone in opposite directions. The Giants own the best winning percentage (33-11) in the Majors since May 11. And it's been hard for the D-backs to keep pace, as they head into the series losers of five straight and 14 games back of the division lead.

Johnny Cueto will take the mound for the Giants. The right-hander continues to excel as the All-Star break nears, posting a 2.42 ERA with 11 wins on the season. But, his last outing was one of his worst of 2016, as Cueto surrendered six earned runs to the Phillies on Sunday.

The D-backs counter with right-hander Shelby Miller, who is 1-1 with a 5.68 ERA in his two starts since returning from the disabled list. He's allowed four earned runs in 7 2/3 innings against the Giants this year.

Things to know about this game

• D-Backs third baseman Jake Lamb has batted .404 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in his last 13 games. He finished June with nine home runs, the most by a D-backs player in a month since Paul Goldschmidt hit 10 in May 2015.

• The Giants' injury list continues to get crowded, as infielders Joe Panik and Ramiro Pena experienced setbacks this week. Panik was put on the 7-day disabled list with a concussion, while Pena will be sidelined due to a sprained ankle. Pena will not go on the DL, however.

• The D-backs are 13-28 at home in 2016 and just 15-18 against opponents in the NL West.

• The Giants haven't lost a series to a team in the NL West since being swept by the D-backs at home on April 21.