D'Backs Vs. Giants Series Preview: Arizona Looks To Make Late Wild Card Push

Riding a two-game winning streak, the Arizona Diamondbacks are looking to make a late push at the wild card race and can make a major statement this weekend in their series against the NL West-leading San Francisco Giants.

The Diamondbacks (71-72) and Giants (81-62) kick off their three-game series Friday night at 9:40 p.m. ET/6:40 p.m. PT inside Arizona's Chase Field. Sitting 10 games back in the NL West and 4.5 games back in the wild card, Arizona likely won't catch San Francisco in the NL West, but their series against the Giants could potentially go a long way in determining whether or not they make it to the playoffs with a wild card spot.

Tyler Skaggs (1-1, 4.43 ERA) is set to take the mound for Arizona and will face San Francisco's Matt Cain (13-5, 2.96 ERA) in Game 1 Friday night. Cain presents a tough matchup for the Diamondbacks, as the right-handed ace has won three of his last six starts and pitched into the eighth inning of five of them. Skaggs, meanwhile, gave up five runs in three innings in his last start.

For more on The Diamondbacks, make sure to check out AZ Snake Pit. For more on the Giants, head over to McCovey Chronicles.