This is a 1* Free Play on the San Francisco Giants.

The visitors send right-hander David Buchannan (6-6, 4.40 ERA) to the hill after yesterday's brutal loss, the rookie right-hander seeks his fifth straight quality start, though he had his two-game winning streak snapped Monday, giving up three runs over six-plus innings in a 5-3 home defeat to the New York Mets. The Giants will counter with Tim Lincecum (9-8, 4.51 ERA) who is looking to turns things around after a few bad starts. The two-time NL Cy Young award winner has surrendered 11 runs and 14 hits over 7 2/3 innings in his last two home starts after throwing 24 scoreless innings while winning his previous three at AT&T Park. Note though that against the Phillies Lincecum is 5-3 with a respectable 3.27 ERA in 13 games lifetime. The Phillies bullpen has been a sore spot at times this season and was bad yesterday in coughing up a big lead and I think that could be a big factor in deciding tonight's game as well. While Phillies rookie starter Buchannan has been fairly solid this season, he will likely have to be spectacular to edge out the Giants on the road. Note that Giants' slugger Michael Morse has gone 8 for 14 with a home run, a triple and two doubles during this home stretch; he's also hitting .400 with four homers in his last 12 overall versus Philadelphia. The Phillies haven't won back-to-back games since early August and have in fact lost seven of eight coming in. Consider laying the extra juice on San Francisco and Lincecum.

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