When the Giants last faced the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in a real game -- not exhibition -- rookie pitcher Matt Cain was an 18-year-old graduate from Houston High in Germantown, Tenn., and had just finished the 2002 season in the Arizona Rookie League.
Watching the World Series between the Angels and Giants, he could only wish to someday be there himself. Now he is 21, squaring off against the Angels at AT&T Park on Monday night in Interleague Play, riding a career-best four-game winning streak.
Cain had a wobbly start last time out, giving up four runs on five hits over five innings in Arizona, but the Giants helped his cause by busting out for 11 runs.
Still, he sports a 3.45 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .196 average over that stretch.
With the Angels coming into town, manager Felipe Alou hopes the Giants can get above the .500 mark at AT&T Park, as they have a 17-17 mark there this year.
"We'll try to have a good homestand," said Alou, noting the Giants were only two games back of the NL West-leading Dodgers entering Sunday's action and that positions within the division could switch quickly.
Only four Giants remain from that World Series clash vs. the Angels -- Barry Bonds, Pedro Feliz, Jason Schmidt and Tim Worrell.
Pitching matchup
SF: RHP Matt Cain (5-5, 5.35 ERA)
Cain ranks fourth among NL rookie hurlers with 52 strikeouts and tied for second in victories. He started the season 1-5 but corrected mechanical problems and has thrown well ever since.
ANA: RHP Kelvim Escobar (5-7, 3.80 ERA)
Escobar is this season's hard-luck pitcher. He has not won in his last six starts but much of the blame can lie elsewhere. Of the 47 runs he's allowed this season, 14 have been unearned and errors have been elemental to his undoing in his last three starts. Escobar has never pitched at AT&T Park.
Player to watch
Outfielder Randy Winn, a long-time American Leaguer, is batting .286 lifetime vs. Escobar, with a homer and two doubles.