Madison Bumgarner (15-6, 3.02 ERA) and the San Francisco Giants (67-59) go up against Dan Haren (8-8, 3.76 ERA) and the Chicago Cubs (73-52) in the last of a three-game series at AT&T Park. The Giants won the last game 4-2 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 3:45 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 27 and will air on CSCh and CSBy.
In his last start, Bumgarner pitched 6.1 innings, giving up three runs, striking out six and walking one in a 6-4 victory over the Pirates. Brandon Belt (.276, 59 Rs, 17 HRs, 60 RBIs, 8 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run. The Cubs were unsuccessful the last time Haren pitched. He struggled, going 4.1 innings, allowing four runs and striking out three in a 9-7 loss to the Braves. Kris Bryant (.265, 71 Rs, 20 HRs, 77 RBIs, 12 SBs) has been doing well, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two RBIs.
San Francisco is a heavy -180 favorite at home and the Over/Under (O/U) for this matchup is seven runs. The Giants are 36-29 as the favorite and have an overall money line of +154. They have SU record of 4-6 and are unbeaten as the favorite (3-0) over their last 10 games. The Giants don’t give up many hits to opposing batters, ranking fifth in the NL with only 8.3 hits allowed per game.
Across the field, the Cubs have a record of 20-21 when they are the underdog and are +1,166 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 7-3 SU and have a poor 0-1 record when they were an underdog to win. During the last 10 games, they averaged 6.3 runs per game, above their 4.2 season average. Chicago’s pitching staff and defense as a whole has been firing on all cylinders so far, ranking second in the NL with only three runs allowed per road game. They have a WHIP of 1.20, fourth best in the MLB.
The Cubs had the upper hand against the Giants in their previous six games this season, earning a 5-1 record. This game will feature Haren (RHP) on the mound against the Giants, who have a 49-47 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Cubs will be the left-hander Bumgarner. They sport a 15-11 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – ChC, O/U – Over
Notes
After a weak showing last week where they got in six hits, the Giants need to step it up. The Cubs have a record of 35-9 when opponents get six hits or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Giants are 5-39. The Cubs have a 16-39 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 22nd in home runs, San Francisco has hit 106 this season. Chicago ranks ninth with 132 home runs.
Ranking 15th, Chicago is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.19 per game. San Francisco ranks in the top five at second with 9.22.
Ranking 16th, Chicago is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.715). San Francisco ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .734.
When the Cubs allow at least one home run, they are 34-35, well-matched with the Giants who are 30-43 when allowing at least one homer.
