Jake Arrieta (15-6, 2.30 ERA) gets the ball for the Chicago Cubs (72-51) as they meet Matt Cain (2-3, 5.66 ERA) and the San Francisco Giants (66-58) in the first of a three-game series at AT&T Park. The Cubs go into this series looking to continue a five-game winning streak. The game starts at 10:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 25 and will air on WGN and CSBy.
In his last start, Cain pitched 6.0 innings, allowing two runs, striking out six and walking one in a 4-3 loss to the Cardinals. Brandon Crawford (.267, 58 Rs, 19 HRs, 75 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 4 Sunday. The Cubs were victorious over the Braves 7-1 the last time Arrieta pitched. He went 6.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out seven and walking one. Anthony Rizzo (.291, 71 Rs, 25 HRs, 77 RBIs, 15 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
San Francisco, a +120 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Chicago. The teams combine to set the Over/Under (O/U) at six runs. The Giants are 30-29 as the underdog and have an overall money line of +254. Over the last 10 games, they have performed poorly when playing as the underdog (2-5). The Giants are fifth in the NL in hits allowed with just 8.3 per game.
Across the field, the Cubs have a nice record of 51-30 when they are favored and are +966 overall with the money line. They have played at the top of their game when rated as favorite recently. They managed a 6-2 record when playing as the favorite and an SU record of 7-3. Chicago has been playing better lately, averaging 6.8 runs per game, more than their season average of 4.2. 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, third best in the MLB.
The previous four games have all gone Chicago’s way. The Giants will take on a right-hander (Arrieta) in this game and have a 49-46 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Cain will take the mound against the Cubs, who have a 56-40 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – ChC, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, San Francisco is 30-20, while Chicago is 29-21.
The Cubs are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Giants have a 10-15 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Giants are 5-38. The Cubs have a 16-38 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 22nd in home runs, San Francisco has hit 105 this season. Chicago ranks ninth with 129 home runs.
Ranking 14th, Chicago is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.20 per game. San Francisco ranks in the top five at second with 9.23.
Ranking 14th, Chicago is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.715). San Francisco ranks in the top 10 at eighth with an OPS of .736.
The Cubs are 34-34 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Giants are 30-42 when they allow at least one homer.
