(Sports Network) - CC Sabathia makes his third start as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers this evening in the first of three games against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park.

Sabathia was brought into Milwaukee with the hopes he would help the team reach the postseason for the first time since winning the American League crown in 1982. The Brewers, though, start the second half five games back of the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central and 1 1/2 games back of the St. Louis Cardinals for the wild card.

The 26-year-old left-hander, who is due to become a free agent at season's end, went the distance to win his second start with the Brewers on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds, as he allowed two runs and eight hits, while striking out nine with a walk. He also helped his cause at the plate with a home run.

Sabathia won his only other start against the Giants back in 2005.

San Francisco will counter with 23-year-old right-hander Matt Cain, who is 5-7 with a 4.06 ERA. Cain did not get a decision last Friday against Chicago, despite throwing seven scoreless innings of three-hit ball in a 3-1 loss.

Cain last faced the Brewers back in 2006 and was tagged with the loss, surrendering five runs and five hits in seven innings.

The Giants enter the second half 15 games under .500 (40-55), but are just seven games back of the NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks, despite owning a major league-worst 17-28 home mark.

Milwaukee swept the Giants at Miller Park earlier in the season, but has lost five straight in San Francisco.