The set-up: Arizona eked out a 2-1 win in the series opener of its three-game series with the Giants last night. Paul Goldschmidt went 3-for-4 with both RBI, one day after hitting a career-best three HRs and driving in six in a 10-8 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Goldschmidt is 17-for-34 with four HRs and 13 RBI over his last 10 games, with seven multi-hit contests in that span. Arizona remains a half-game up on Colorado in the race for the top wild card spot plus is six full games inside of the NL's playoff 'cut line.' As for the Giants, their 42-69 record is better than only the Phillies in all of MLB , while their minus-$3110 moneyline mark is a MLB-worst!

The pitching matchup: Taijuan Walker (6-5 & 3.55 ERA) vs.gets the start for the D'backs and rookie Chris Stratton (0-2 & 7.71 ERA) makes his second start and fifth appearance of the season for the Giants. Walker last won back on June 21 (16-5 against Colorado) but is win-less in six starts since then (he's 0-2 and the Rockies 2-4). However, he did strike out 10 in just 5 2/3 innings against St. Louis in his last outing while giving up three runs on four hits en route to the 3-2 loss. Walker is 2-1 with a 3.50 ERA in three career starts against the Giants, with the loss occurring on April 10 of this season. Stratton lost his only previous start, 6-2 to Detroit on July 6, when he gave up five runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings as a late fill-in for the injured Johnny Cueto. Stratton also walked five in that loss to the Tigers and has 13 walks in 24 major-league innings over the last two seasons.

The pick: What's to like about the Giants with an very inexperienced pitcher on the mound? It's a rhetorical question. Make the D'backs an 8* play.