The Giants are a sound investment as underdogs here. The Marlins are weakening themselves in the bullpen by starting David Phelps, who has been a key setup reliever for them.

Phelps' ERA went up for the fourth straight month in July. He doesn't figure to go deep into the game. The Marlins are without injured A.J. Ramos. Their bullpen is further thinned with Phelps part of the starting rotation now. Fernando Rodney is the team's new closer with Ramos on the DL. He's not likely to be available, however, having worked an inning during each of the past three days.

Giants starter Jeff Samardzija was an All-Star just two seasons ago. He's struggled in his last three starts, but as a flyball pitcher he's aided whenever throwing in a pitcher's park, which Marlins Park is. Samardzija is 4-1 with a 3.81 ERA in 16 career appearances against the Marlins. This is a good time to get on him when his stock his low. Samardzija catches a break, too, in that Giancarlo Stanton isn't expected to play due to a sore leg. Miami has lost five of the past six times when facing a right-handed starter.