Jake Arrieta (7-0, 1.29 ERA) gets the ball for the Chicago Cubs (28-11) as they go up against Jake Peavy (1-4, 7.42 ERA) and the San Francisco Giants (25-18) in the first of a three-game series at AT&T Park. The Giants enter this series on an eight-game winning streak. The game gets underway at 10:15 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 20 and will air on WGN and KNTV.
In his last start, Peavy pitched 6.0 innings, giving up one run, striking out five and walking two in a 5-3 victory over the Diamondbacks. Hunter Pence (.297, 24 Rs, 7 HRs, 32 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI. The Cubs were also victorious the last time Arrieta pitched. He had a good outing, pitching 8.0 innings, allowing two runs, striking out 11 and walking two in an 8-2 victory over the Pirates. Dexter Fowler (.314, 28 Rs, 4 HRs, 20 RBIs, 6 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. Over their past 10 games, San Francisco’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 0.0 runs per game, well over their season average of 0.0. They have been very patient at the plate, ranking fourth in the NL with an average of 4.0 walks per game. San Francisco’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 0.0 during that span, compared to its 0.0 season average.
The Cubs rank second in the NL in scoring, averaging 0.0 runs per game. Chicago’s pitching staff and defense as a whole have been firing on all cylinders so far, averaging an NL-best 0.0 runs allowed per game. They have a WHIP of 1.057 on the year, the best in the league.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC
Notes
The Giants are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 10 strikeouts. The Cubs have a record of 7-3 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they are outhit, the Cubs are 2-9. The Giants have a 6-17 record when opponents outhit them.
San Francisco ranks near the bottom of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 38 this season. Chicago ranks in the top half at 14th with 45.
Ranking 11th, Chicago is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.69 per game. San Francisco ranks in the top 10 with 8.86.
Ranking 11th, San Francisco is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.739). Chicago ranks in the top five at fourth with an OPS of .788.
When the Cubs allow at least one home run, they are 12-8. When the Giants allow one or more homers, they have an 8-15 record.
