Arms on display as Giants face Astros

San Francisco (42-36) vs. Houston (38-39), 7:15 p.m. PT

Chris Haft / MLB.com

ST. LOUIS -- Pitchers are usually the center of attention, but they'll command extra scrutiny in each game of the Giants' series against the Houston Astros beginning Friday at AT&T Park.

The Giants will be curious to see whether right-hander Ryan Sadowski, who'll oppose right-hander Felipe Paulino in the series opener, can duplicate the excellence he displayed at Milwaukee on Sunday. Sadowski thrived that day in his Major League debut, pitching six solid innings in the Giants' 7-0 victory.

Tim Lincecum, who needs no introduction, is scheduled to start Saturday for the Giants. The National League's reigning Cy Young Award winner ranks among the league leaders in ERA, complete games, strikeouts, innings, winning percentage, shutouts and opponents' batting average. Interestingly, Lincecum will face the man he replaced upon joining the Giants' rotation: Russ Ortiz, who injured his elbow during his abbreviated 2007 stint with San Francisco.

Sunday's finale will pit left-hander Randy Johnson, winner of 303 games and five Cy Young Awards, against Houston's Roy Oswalt, one of the best pitchers never to win the Cy Young.

San Francisco's 10-game homestand, its longest of the season, will offer plenty for fans, starting with this weekend.

Friday is Fireworks Night. To allow fans into the ballpark to watch Giants' batting practice, the Willie Mays Gate will open early at 4:15 p.m. PT.

That's followed by 4-ALS Day on Saturday in honor of the 70th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's farewell address and to raise awareness about ALS. The first 30,000 fans also will receive miniature United States flags in honor of Independence Day.

Giants T-shirts presented by Autotrader.com will be given to the first 20,000 fans Sunday. It is also Autograph Sunday and See's Candies Kids Run the Bases.

Pitching matchup
SF: RHP Ryan Sadowski (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Sadowski was a sensation in his Major League debut Sunday at Milwaukee, allowing four hits in six shutout innings.