The Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants will continue a four-game series on Friday night at Oracle Park. Thursday's series opener finished by a 4-2 scoreline in favor of the Giants, who cashed in as a -136 favorite. Chicago is in third place in the NL Central at 40-58, while San Francisco now owns a record of 49-50 on the season.
This was a one-sided matchup last season, with the Giants winning six of seven meetings.
Chicago is playing its best baseball of a rebuilding season, but couldn't keep it going to open this road trip as the offense was largely shut down Thursday night in San Francisco. Patrick Wisdom provided the only scoring for the Cubs with a two-run homer in the seventh, as the offense managed only three hits all night.
Starter Justin Steele went just 3.2 innings, allowing four runs (zero earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out six to take the loss. Ian Happ recorded two hits and scored a run as his trade market continues to heat up.
Chicago is down a huge amount on the money line despite the recent surge while going 50-48 on the run line. Overs are 43-48-7 for Chicago, with each of its last four games going under the betting total.
The Cubs are just below league average at 4.31 runs per game on a solid .721 combined OPS. Pitching has be en much more of an issue as the Cubs have a 4.41 collective ERA including a mark of 4.19 out of the bullpen.
Willson Contreras, a prime candidate to be traded in the next few days, is having a terrific season at the plate with an .843 OPS, 14 homers and 37 RBI. Christopher Morel is turning in an impressive rookie season with an .835 OPS, nine homers, nine steals and 40 runs scored in 60 games.
Marcus Stroman is set to make his 13th start of the season after going six innings against the Philadelphia Phillies last Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out five. The 31-year-old has been limited by injuries, going 2-5 with a 4.38 ERA over 61.2 innings.
Second baseman Nick Madrigal (strained groin), shortstop Andrelton Simmons (strained shoulder), outfielder Michael Hermosillo (strained quad) and outfielder Jason Heyward (knee inflammation) are sidelined. The rotation is missing Adbert Al zolay (strained lat), Kyle Hendricks (strained shoulder), Wade Miley (strained shoulder) and Alec Mills (strained lower back). Relievers Codi Heuer (Tommy John surgery), Ethan Roberts (Tommy John surgery), Manuel Rodriguez (strained back) and Brad Wieck (Tommy John surgery) are sidelined.