D-backs Video

Lopez's impressive start

Lopez's quality start

Giants Video

Sanchez's 12 strikeouts

Sanchez strikes out nine

But until that much-anticipated series with the Padres, the Giants have three games with the D-backs, who took two of three from the Giants at AT&T Park in late August.

"We'll have our hands full with the next two series," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "Now we're in a situation where we're in a playoff-like atmosphere. [The games are] intense."

The D-backs come to AT&T Park fresh off a 5-4 comeback win against the Dodgers on Sunday, winners of three of their past four series, including their last two. The D-backs, who have spent much of the season in the National League West cellar, close the season with 12 straight games against division foes. So far, they're 5-1 in that stretch.

D-backs interim manager Kirk Gibson, who has preached playing the game the right way since taking the temporary reins, has begun to mix younger players into the everyday lineup, but said his team will continue to fight to the end.

"We play everybody as hard as we can. We'll do that when we get to [San Francisco]," Gibson said. "Whoever is healthy will be in the lineup of our regular guys. We'll do our best to make it hard on [the Giants]. The way I phrase it, is to make them better for what's ahead of them."

Giants left-hander Jonathan Sanchez (11-9, 3.16 ERA) will oppose Arizona right-hander Rodrigo Lopez (7-14, 5.04 ERA) in the series opener.

Despite allowing four first-inning runs in his last start against Colorado, Lopez is riding a personal two-game winning streak, while Sanchez suffered his first loss in more than a month in his last outing.

D-backs: Webb hoping to pitch this season
Injured right-hander Brandon Webb, who hasn't pitched since Opening Day 2009 and underwent shoulder surgery last summer, will meet Monday with general manager Kevin Towers to discuss a potential return in the season's final six games. Webb threw about 35 pitches in a simulated game on Saturday and, at the earliest, would be able to throw Tuesday in San Francisco.

"I have said all along if Webby is ready to pitch in the big leagues, I don't think we would stop him," Gibson said Sunday morning. "Whether that's the case or not, that's what the discussion is about."

Giants: San Francisco not altering rotation
As more proof that San Francisco isn't looking past the D-backs, the Giants have not yet altered their pitching rotation to enable Tim Lincecum to face the Padres instead of Arizona. There could, however, be a change. Prior to Friday's 4-2 win, Bochy acknowledged that he, general manager Brian Sabean and the rest of the Giants' brass probably will address multiple issues during Monday's scheduled off-day.

"We'll discuss a lot of things, but that's not something we're discussing right now," Bochy said.

Worth noting
After Sunday's win against the Rockies, the Giants have gone 16-2 in their past 18 games when scoring the game's first run. ... The Giants finished 43-38 on the road this season, their first winning road record since going 44-36 in 2004.