San Francisco Giants’ LaMonte Wade Jr., right, is congratulated for hitting a third inning home run by Mike Yastrzemski at Dodgers Stadium on Mon Jun 28, 2021, Yastrzemski is expected to be back in the line up Friday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks after suffering a contusion on Monday. (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

The San Francisco Giants had the day off on Wednesday after getting swept in a two-game series by the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Still, the Giants hold their place at the top of the NL West.

“No real explanation other than we’re going to have to do a better job against the best teams in baseball, including the Dodgers, in those big spots,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said.

San Francisco was hit with another injury on Tuesday — right fielder Mike Tauchman suffered a mild knee contusion and potentially a mild sprain as he made an outstanding catch. Tauchman, who had an MRI on Wednesday, was filling in for Mike Yastrzemski who himself suffered a contusion on Monday. But there is hope for the Giants — Kapler said Yastrzemski could be ready to play on Thursday.

The Giants travel to Chase Field on Friday for the first in a four-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m.

San Francisco’s starter will be right-handed pitcher Johnny Cueto. Cueto has 73 hits, 29 runs (27 earned), eight homers allowed, 12 walks and 53 strikeouts over 67 innings this season. He has a 3.63 ERA overall.

The Diamondbacks also got swept in their last three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Arizona is starting with right-handed pitcher Merrill Kelly. Kelly has 93 hits, 51 runs (48 earned), 12 homers allowed, 25 walks and 82 strikeouts over 91.1 innings this season. He has a 4.73 ERA overall.

The Giants (50-29) are 9-0 in their last nine games after a day off and 10-4 in their last 14 games. The Diamondbacks (22-60) are fifth in the NL West and are 7-46 in their last 53 games overall and 7-20 in their last 27 home games.