The 8-1 Giants are happy but their bullpen is weary. The San Francisco Chronicle reports, "Last year, the starters went seven innings seven times in the first nine games. This year, it's happened once."

San Francisco pitching has given up 20 runs in its past two games, to San Diego, in baseballÕs toughest park in which to hit. In WednesdayÕs 15-11 victory over the Padres, relievers were needed for seven innings.

At the same time, only Joe Nathan has pitched on consecutive days heading into the four-game series beginning tonight with the Dodgers, and only Jim Brower went more than two innings Wednesday. So it doesnÕt look like the Giants have that much to worry about from down here.

I do think the Dodgers have reason to be optimistic about the pitching matchups for the series (although they had the same reason to be optimistic last weekend in San Diego).

Thursday, 7:15 p.m. Ð Hideo Nomo (1-1, 1.69 ERA) vs. Kurt Ainsworth (1-0, 4.50 ERA).
Friday, 7:15 p.m. Ð Odalis Perez (0-0, 4.05) vs. Kirk Rueter (1-0, 1.64).
Saturday, 1 p.m. Ð Kevin Brown (1-0, 0.73) vs. Jason Schmidt (1-0, 1.35).
Sunday, 5 p.m. Ð Kazuhisa Ishii (0-1, 7.45) vs. Damian Moss (1-0, 4.22).