San Francisco Giants: 4 Keys To Sweeping Arizona Diamondbacks, Why It Can Happen

The last time the Giants and Diamondbacks met, San Francisco's usually-lifeless offense exploded for eight runs on 12 hits, defeating Arizona 8-1 in the series finale at AT&T Park on August 3.

Since then, the D'Backs have gone 17-9 while the Giants have gone 10-16, losing seven games to Arizona in the standings, going from a game up on the Snakes in the NL West to six games back in four weeks.

As these two clubs meet again for a three-game series at AT&T Park Friday night, the Giants know that they are in dire need of a sweep to thrust themselves back into the pennant race. Anything short of a sweep, especially a series loss, could be the final nail in the coffin labeled "SF Giants: 2011."

With the D'Backs on a nine-game winning streak, the question is: Can the Giants, who have had such a difficult time scoring runs and whose team chemistry has been in turmoil as of late, sweep the hottest team in baseball with the season on the line?

The answer is yes, and here's how...

Keep the Ball Down

Believe it or not, the Diamondbacks are hitting just .249 as a team this season. In the second half, they've hit .244.

Arizona's on-base percentage is just .319 for the year, and the Diamondbacks are fourth in the NL with 1,066 strikeouts. They are also dead last in the NL in sacrifice hits (42).

This club doesn't play small ball. It plays "Grip-and-Rip" baseball. That means a lot of home runs and a lot of strikeouts—and not much in between.

While the rest of their offensive numbers aren't off the charts, the D'Backs are third in the league in home runs, with 150.

The moral of this statistical tale? If you're a Giants pitcher, keep the ball down and don't give up the long ball. It's Arizona's primary weapon, and without it, against one of the best pitching staffs in the game, the Snakes won't have much rattle left.

No Free Passes

Since the Diamondbacks rely so heavily on the home run, it is of the utmost importance that the Giants don't issue walks the way they normally do.

San Francisco is second to only the Chicago Cubs in walks issued in the NL, with 471. That stat cannot hold true this weekend against Arizona.

Opponents are currently hitting just .229 against Giants pitching. It's the walks that have killed San Francisco so far this season, and free passes are unacceptable against a team like the Diamondbacks.

If the Giants lose this series, look at the walk totals Monday morning.

Play Small Ball

The Giants put down three consecutive bunts in the fifth inning of their 4-0 win over the Cubs Wednesday, and it turned into a run when Jeff Keppinger singled home Chris Stewart.

The Giants aren't going to light up the scoreboard with singles, let alone extra-base hits, and since they don't play the mash-and-smash style of baseball that the D'backs do, they need to "move the line," as Giants manager Bruce Bochy likes to say, by using small ball.

Score First

The Diamondbacks have a very good bullpen and the Giants, with all of their offensive limitations, cannot afford to fall behind.

Andres Torres will again be key for the Giants at the top of the lineup, and needs to find a way to get on base for the red-hot Jeff Keppinger and then the heart of the order with Pablo Sandoval and Carlos Beltran.

If the Giants score first in each of the three contests this weekend, they've got a good shot at victory, as they will give the ball to Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum and Ryan Vogelsong in an effort to shut down Arizona.

Is a Sweep Possible? Sure

The Giants have what it takes to sweep the Arizona Diamondbacks. And the fact that Arizona has been so hot lately, winning nine straight, could actually work to San Francisco's advantage.

The D'Backs are 4-8 against the Giants this year, and in many ways are due for a loss. There just aren't that many 10-game winning streaks, and an off day may cool off the Snakes just a little.

Whatever the stats dictate, however, still leaves us to speculate before these two clubs actually take the field, and for the Giants, this series will, indeed, make or break their season.