Kyle Hendricks (5-5, 3.67 ERA) and Matt Cain (2-2, 4.91 ERA) take the hill in the third of a four-game series between the Chicago Cubs (59-48) and the San Francisco Giants (59-49) at Wrigley Field. The Cubs won the last game 7-3 and Chicago leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 3:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 8 and can be seen on WLS and CSBy.
Hendricks pitched 7.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering one run, striking out six and walking two in a 4-2 win over the Brewers. Kris Bryant (.247, 56 Rs, 14 HRs, 61 RBIs, 11 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run and one stolen base. Cain went 5.0 innings, surrendering four runs, striking out one and walking one in a 9-8 defeat to the Braves in his last outing. Buster Posey (.332, 57 Rs, 16 HRs, 75 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Giants, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Chicago is a -125 favorite against San Francisco and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is unavailable as of now. The Cubs have an overall money line of +199 and a record as the favorite of 40-28. Chicago is an impressive 7-1 as the favorite over its last 10 games. Chicago is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 76 bases. Turning to the pitchers, the Cubs are the second-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.18 so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, San Francisco has a 27-21 record and an overall money line of +407. Offensively, they average four runs per game on the road, which is the best in the NL.
The Cubs have the edge in the season series, 2-0. The Cubs have a 45-39 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Cain takes the mound. Hendricks (RHP) will be on the hill against the Giants, who have a 45-40 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – ChC
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, San Francisco is 25-16, while Chicago is 23-19.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Giants are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Cubs have a 13-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they outhit their opponents, the Cubs are 39-8. The Giants have a 51-8 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 22nd in runs, Chicago has earned 415 this season. San Francisco ranks seventh with 476 runs.
Ranking 20th, San Francisco is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 293 this season. Chicago ranks in the top five at second with 369.
The Cubs are 38-19 when they hit at least one home run. The Giants perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 40-21 record.
