The San Francisco Giants (32-30) face a tough test against Marcus Stroman at Oracle Park on Friday when the impressive right-hander takes the mound for the Chicago Cubs (26-36) for the opener of a three-game series.
The Cubs are kicking off the final series of their 10-game road trip. They were just swept in three games against the Angels, dropping the finale 3-1 on Thursday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim for their fourth straight loss.
Trey Mancini was 1 for 3 with a double and one RBI. The Giants are coming off a three-game sweep of the Rockies, taking the finale 6-4 on Thursday at Coors Field. Michael Conforto went 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Giants won five of the seven games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Wrigley Field in September.
ON THE MOUND
Stroman (6-4, 2.39 ERA) is in line for the start for Chicago. The RHP ranks second in the NL in ERA and tied for fifth in wins. Stroman allowed one run (zero earned) over six innings in his last start, a 7-1 home win over the Padres on Sunday.
He was credited with the win, giving up four hits while striking out six and walking three. Over two starts against the Giants in 2022, Stroman was 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA over 10 innings. He had seven strikeouts and two walks.
For San Francisco, righty Anthony DeSclafani (4-5, 3.97 ERA) gets the start. In his last start on Sunday, DeSclafani took the loss at home against the Orioles. He threw three innings and gave up six runs (5 ER) on five hits, striking out two and walking three in the 8-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Chicago offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .245/.325/.396. Seiya Suzuki leads the team in OPS at .790. The left fielder is slashing .266/.355/.435 with six home runs, 19 RBIs, and 20 runs over 49 games.
Over the last five games, however, Chicago has averaged only 2.8 runs a game while performing worse across the board (.196/.274/.297). Against right-handed pitchers like DeSclafani this season, the Cubs have a .697 OPS.
Ian Happ is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .831 OPS in 162 at-bats. San Francisco is slashing .250/.324/.419 for the season and averaging 4.6 runs per game.
Four Giants hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by LaMonte Wade Jr. (.887). The left fielder has eight home runs, 20 RBIs, and 31 runs scored with a slash line of .282/.419/.468.
The Giants have a .762 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .923 OPS over 154 at-bats, Wade Jr. also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is on a four-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 11-20 in 2023. The Cubs have scored 4.2 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.5 runs.
San Francisco has gone 17-15 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 4.4. In the last 10 meetings at Oracle Park, San Francisco is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 4.3-3.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cubs are fourth in the NL Central, seven games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Giants are third in the NL West, five games behind the Diamondbacks.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
SF Giants (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
