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Giants-Marlins Preview

May 4, 2010 - 1:36 PM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

San Francisco (14-10) at Florida (13-12), 7:10 p.m. EDT

San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum can sometimes strike fear into opposing batters.

Reigning NL batting champion Hanley Ramirez, however, believes it is the two-time Cy Young Award winner that should be scared when the two square off.

Ramirez looks to continue his hot hitting and help the Florida Marlins win three in a row for the first time this season when they face Lincecum and the Giants on Tuesday night.

Ramirez hit a league-best .342 last season for the Marlins (13-12) but got off to a slow start this year, batting .279 with two homers and seven RBIs in April. He quickly broke out of that slump when the calendar changed, going 6 for 9 with three home runs and seven RBIs in two games this month.

The two-time All-Star drove in four runs with two homers in a 9-3 win over Washington on Sunday, Florida's second straight after losing five of six.

"I had a tough April. I was waiting for May," Ramirez said. "I told everybody, 'No worries. I know I'm going to get hot."'

Staying that way could be difficult for Ramirez with San Francisco (14-10) coming to town. The Giants' starting staff boasts a 2.59 ERA, but Ramirez is apparently unimpressed.

"They're going to have to face me," he said. "No worry. It doesn't matter who we're facing. They're coming to our house, and we've got a pretty good team."

Ramirez seems confident despite a 3-for-16 (.188) performance against the Giants last season. He is hitless in three career at-bats against Lincecum (4-0, 1.27 ERA), who has looked prepared to add to his Cy Young collection this season.

Second in the majors with 43 strikeouts, Lincecum was poised to win his fifth straight start Wednesday against Philadelphia. He allowed three hits and struck out 11, departing in the ninth inning with a 4-1 lead after issuing a one-out walk.

The Phillies, though, tied the game against closer Brian Wilson and went on to win 7-6 in 11.

San Francisco hopes hitting the road can help Lincecum get back in the win column.

After going 0-4 with a 5.00 ERA in six road starts following last season's All-Star break, the right-hander did not give up a run in winning his two outings away from AT&T Park this year.

Lincecum's only career start against the Marlins came in Florida on June 7, when he allowed two runs and three hits in 7 1-3 innings of a 3-2 victory.

"He's had success at the highest level in baseball," Florida catcher John Baker told the Marlins' official website. "But at the same time, you've got to (think) you're going to beat him. If you don't feel like that, you've already lost."

The Giants, who went 4-3 against the Marlins last season, are coming off a 4-1 loss to Colorado. They went 6-3 on a homestand against 2009 playoff teams St. Louis, Philadelphia and the Rockies.

San Francisco should be pleased with the way Aubrey Huff is swinging the bat. The Giants first baseman hit his fourth homer and third in five games Sunday.

Huff and the Giants will now face Anibal Sanchez (1-2, 4.32), who is set to make first career appearance against San Francisco.

Sanchez posted a 2.08 ERA in his last two starts after recording a 6.75 ERA in his first two. The right-hander allowed three runs in 6 1-3 innings of a 4-1 loss to San Diego on Tuesday.