This series kicked off on Friday night with a 3-2 Chicago Cubs (27-36) victory. This Sunday afternoon contest is one that the San Francisco Giants (32-31) should consider a must-win, regardless of Saturday's results. Both sides find themselves trailing by more than five games in their division, although San Francisco is much closer to an NL Wild Card spot. The first pitch for this series final is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. EDT from Oracle Park. There's no indication of bad weather, so expect these teams to play.
#2 drives in 2 for the lead!
? https://t.co/iq0lKgoH7i ? pic.twitter.com/BFkctXLfMj
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 10, 2023
By taking a glance at Chicago's results over roughly 20 games, one can probably point out every time Marcus Stroman started, especially after Friday's win. Otherwise, this Cubs team is in a brutal tailspin. Since May 29, Chicago is only putting up 2.27 runs per game. They've fallen to 21st in runs per game this year, despite MLB's third-highest walk rate. It doesn't help that they're 25th in strikeout rate, 20th in slugging percentage, and playing without Cody Bellinger who looked rejuvenated at the plate. Still, long stretches of lifelessness like the one they're in is how seasons go to waste.
Hayden Wesneski is in line to start this game, trying to snap a four-start streak of losses. He pitched well in three of those starts, holding the opponent to two or fewer runs, however, Chicago isn't keen on giving pitchers run support these days. Wesneski only has 80.2 major league innings under his belt, but so far he's regressed this year after his limited action in 2022. The bullpen behind him has a 4.53 ERA, so maybe the pressure of needing to be perfect is getting to him. It's not easy pitching with little run support and a shaky reliever group.
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