Hot Brewers face test in weekend series vs. Giants

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers finally are playing up to their preseason expectations — and even beyond.

Now comes an early season measuring-stick series that begins with an enticing pitching matchup, as the World Series champion San Francisco Giants come to Miller Park for a three-game series starting Friday.

Milwaukee has rebounded from a disappointing start, sweeping Colorado and Washington in back-to-back series and winning 13 of their past 16. The Brewers now get a chance to see how they stack up against the champs — although Prince Fielder doesn’t see it that way, calling the idea of measuring themselves against the Giants “kind of corny” and saying the Brewers just want to keep playing well no matter who they’re playing.

San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum faces Milwaukee’s Shaun Marcum on Friday.