The San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs are set to play the first game of a scheduled doubleheader Tuesday at Wrigley Field

San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs

San Francisco flies in winners of five straight and is comes in having swept Cleveland in a three-game set despite scoring just five runs in the series.  It was the Giants fifth sweep of the season and first since May 20-22.  The offense has managed to score a Major League-low 265 runs this season, which is 144 runs behind the Red Sox, who lead the category currently with 409 runs.  Last year’s World Series champion has relied heavily on a bullpen that has fashioned the league’s lowest ERA this month, posting a 1.74 figure, while also yielding the lowest opponents batting average against at .198.  San Francisco is 15-5 against left-handed starters this year.

Giants starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong has gone 5-1 with a 1.86 ERA in 13 games (11 starts) this season, as the club has compiled an 8-3 record with him on the mound.  The right-hander has allowed two runs-or-fewer in his last nine consecutive starts.  Vogelsong is scheduled to make his second start of the season against the Cubs and seventh overall.  He enters with a 2-4 lifetime mark and 6.99 ERA in those particular outings, including a 3-0 victory at Wrigley Field in a rain-shortened game on May 14.

Chicago picked up a 7-3 win over Colorado on Monday in a makeup contest that was originally scheduled for April 27, but was postponed due to rain.  The Cubs were led by first baseman Carlos Pena and third baseman Aramis Ramirez, both hitting a pair of home runs and driving in three runs apiece.  Pena has been incredibly hot of late and has left the yard seven times in the last 11 games.  Ramirez has a good chance of continuing his recent good fortune as well, coming in 5 for 12 with two homers against Vogelsong.  Chicago is 21-34 against right-handed starters this season.

Cubs starting pitcher Doug Davis is 1-6 with a 5.01 ERA in eight starts this season and took the loss in a 4-3 setback to the White Sox June 22.  He surrendered four runs (three earned) on a season-high tying eight hits in that contest.  The left-hander is 5-9 with a 4.60 ERA in 21 games (20 starts) versus the Giants.  Davis had lost his last two and four of his last five decisions against them.  In 49 career games (48 starts) in June, he is an even 16-16 with a 3.94 ERA.

Bettors will be interested in backing the Cubs due to their 5-1 record in opening games of a doubleheader, while the Giants are 0-4 on the road.