John Lackey (9-7, 3.41 ERA) and Johnny Cueto (14-5, 2.98 ERA) start in the last of a four-game series between the Chicago Cubs (87-48) and the San Francisco Giants (73-62) at Wrigley Field. The Giants won the last game 3-2, and Chicago leads the series 2-1. Action begins at 2:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sep. 4 and can be seen on WLS, CSBA and TBS.
Lackey pitched 6.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering one runs (one unearned), striking out five and walking one in a 6-4 defeat to the Cardinals. Kris Bryant (.306, 112 Rs, 36 HRs, 91 RBIs, 8 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 5. Cueto went 4.2 innings, surrendering four runs, striking out five and walking four in a 4-3 defeat to the Diamondbacks in his last outing.
Notes
San Francisco has won 54% (27-23) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Chicago has won 68% (47-22) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Giants are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 12 strikeouts. The Cubs have a record of 10-10 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Giants are 52-15. The Cubs have a 73-15 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 17th, San Francisco sits in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 601 this season. Chicago ranks in the top five at third with 681.
Ranking 17th, San Francisco is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.734). Chicago ranks in the top five at third with an OPS of .777.
When the Giants allow at least one home run, they are 33-48. When the Cubs allow one or more homers, they have a 45-38 record.
