The Chicago Cubs (18-35) and San Francisco Giants (30-24) will close out a four-game National League series on Monday afternoon at AT&T Park in San Francisco, with the first pitch scheduled for 3:45 ET
Chicago Cubs at San Francisco Giants
Chicago dropped its 10th consecutive road game in suffering a 2-0 loss to San Francisco on Sunday afternoon, as the club continues to scuffle offensively. “It’s the same press conference every day, a broken record,” stated Cubs manager Dale Sveum. The Cubs have managed to drop 15 of their last 18 games, but the clubhouse is still optimistic of things turning around due to nine of those contests being decided by two runs or less. Chicago is 0-2 after getting shutout this year, with the “under” going 16-10 in that situation over the last two-plus years.
Cubs starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (5-3, 3.09 ERA) snapped a personal two-game losing streak by picking up a 5-3 home win over the San Diego Padres last time out, giving up three runs and eight hits over seven solid innings. The right-hander has tallied an even 2-2 record and 4.61 ERA in five road outings, but has not surrendered a home run in 27.1 frames. In five career relief appearances against the Giants, Samardzija has yet to record a decision, while giving up one run and five hits over 5.2 frames (1.59 ERA).
San Francisco is one of the hottest teams in the major leagues, moving within three games of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, as it enters Monday’s game a season-high six games over .500. The starting staff has been doing a tremendous job over the last week, entering yesterday’s game with a 1.65 ERA over the previous six games, while surrendering just three earned runs over 24.1 combined innings in this series. San Francisco is 15-9 in day games, and the “under” is 12-11 in that situation.
Giants starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong (3-2, 2.36 ERA) has led the club to five consecutive victories, but didn’t factor into the decision of a 3-1 home win over the Arizona Diamondbacks last time out. The right-hander has a losing 1-2 record despite carrying a 1.31 ERA in five home starts, as opposing hitters are batting just .180 against him. In 14 career games (eight starts) versus the Cubs, Vogelson is 3-5 with a 6.19 ERA, including a 2-1 mark and 3.38 ERA in three outings a year ago.
Bettors will likely back the Cubs due to their 5-2 record in Samardzija’s last seven road starts, while the Giants are 1-6 in Vogelsong’s last seven efforts versus NL Central teams.
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