San Francisco Giants Head to Windy City to Take on the Cubs: Series Preview

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CHICAGO, IL – MAY 25: Mac Williamson #51 of the San Francisco Giants leaps in to the ivy to in an attempt to make a catch as fans reach for the home run ball of Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs (not pictured) during the first inning at Wrigley Field on May 25, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco Giants are headed to the NorthSide of Chicago to take on the Chicago Cubs at the historic Wrigley Field. We’ll break down the series, a few players to watch, and what we expect to happen.

If you didn’t know that Wrigley Field is on the North Side of Chicago, then now you know. The San Francisco Giants will be on the North Side this weekend.

There is a huge difference between the Northside and the Southside of Chicago. I’m not going to dive into the geopolitics of the Chicago regions (yes regions, because it’s flipping massive). But one of the biggest differences between the two is their hot-dog toppings.

Oh yes. That’s a thing. Anyways, if you happen to be in Chicago, go get a big fat hot dog from Wrigley. It’s the best choice you’ll make all weekend outside of visiting Portillos (You absolutely must do that as well, and you have to go all out. Cake shake and all). Alright. Enough about food. Let’s get on to the baseball field.

The Giants will have a couple of interesting matchups, on the mound, but the biggest story for them is the return of our lord and savior, Mac Williamson. Williamson hits a lot of homers and is a very good outfielder. I expect him in the lineup tonight as he had an off-day yesterday with Sacramento.

That could potentially be a shot in the arm, especially with how bad the offense was in Houston. Williamson will be looking to deposit baseballs onto Waveland Avenue, and that will be a hell of a sight. Alright. Pitching Matchups!

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – APRIL 09: Derek Holland #45 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at AT&T Park on April 9, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

Game 1: Friday, 11:20 AM PT, Kyle Hendricks vs. Derek Holland

This matchup is going to be very intriguing. Holland has pitched well in his last couple starts, despite going 1-2. He has had a 3.63 ERA and 13K’s over that period. Hendricks frankly isn’t doing a whole lot better, with just a 3.79 ERA and 15K’s.

Belt is the Giants best hitter against Hendricks though, and after that it’s not all that hot. Granted, Hendricks is pitching below his Cy-Young level season from 2016. A very similar regression to the mean that Alex Wood has experienced this season. If the Giants can be patient (good luck) they have a decent shot at getting to Hendricks.

On the flip side, Holland has only faced Anthony Rizzo and Jason Heyward in his career, so the unfamiliarity for the Cubs could potentially bode well for the Giants. If Holland can keep the ball in the ballpark, the Giants might have a shot on Friday night.

Game 2: Saturday, 4:15 PM PT, Chris Stratton vs. Jose Quintana

This matchup brings two pitchers who are on opposite “form” arcs. Stratton hasn’t been great in his last three starts despite a winning record. His ERA is a 7.36 with 9K’s in those starts. Quintana on the flip side has a 3.57 ERA with 18K’s over his last three.

Quintana is a guy that pitches for the strikeout and that means the Giants are going to need to be selective. He gets into trouble though when his command is off, and he starts walking people. He will throw a ton of pitches to strike guys out, so if I’m the Giants, I’m playing the patience game again. The Giants have hit him hard over their experiences with him, as seven hitters have a .333 average or higher against him. Ownage is ownage.

Stratton on the flipside just needs to keep the ball in the park, and runners off the basepaths. Much like Derek Holland, he has the unfamiliarity thing working in his favor, as none of the Cubs have ever faced Stratton in their career. If he can start locating the fastball low, and then mix in the Change and Curve, he’ll be fine against a very free swinging, against the 25-21 Cubs.

Game 3: Sunday, 5:08 PM PT, Yu Darvish vs. Ty Blach

Blach hasn’t been much better than Stratton in his last three starts. He’s posted a 7.11 ERA with only 5K’s over that time period. Blach doesn’t get guys to swing and miss, so he needs to keep the ball down. If the Giants can get a good 12 innings out of their starters the previous days, they’ll be fine. But if he struggles, and the bullpen is taxed, Sunday could be a looooong day. Yu Darvish is pitching opposite of him and he hasn’t looked “Darvish like.” He’s struck out 20 over his last three starts, but his ERA is in the mid fours.

The Giants don’t have great numbers against Darvish, and that concerns me a bit for the third and final game of the series. A guy whose struggled, against a guy who can mow right through Giants hitters. We’ll have to see just what happens.

The Cubs, of course, have hit Blach pretty hard in his time pitching against them. He’s got his work cut out for him, that’s for sure.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – APRIL 30: Gorkys Hernandez #7 of the San Francisco Giants runs the bases to score on an rbi triple from Andrew McCutchen #22 against the San Diego Padres in the bottom of the first inning at AT&T Park on April 30, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

The Cubs offense hasn’t been as advertised in recent weeks. But they still have plenty of dangerous hitters. Obviously you have to watch out for Kris Bryant. But Wilson Contreras is hitting well, posting an OPS of .836 so far this year. You also always have to watch out for Giant killer, Javy Baez.

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For the Giants, hot hitters to pay attention to “The Brandons” who have been lighting it up in recent weeks. You also have Gorkys Hernandez who has gotten really hot in recent weeks and looks like the Giants best center field choice on the club.

The Cubs are a little cold on Anthony Rizzo though. The power numbers and average are way down, in a surprising down season for the power hitting first baseman. Rizzo is only hitting .207 with a .360 slugging percentage. Rough. Another struggling hitter is the ever struggling Jason Heyward, who hasn’t found his way at the plate for a couple years.

As for Cubs pitchers to watch out for, pay attention to their entire bullpen. The only one with regular appearances and an ERA over 3.00 is Carl Edwards. Everyone else is hovering in the “Ones.”

For Giants pitchers, of course you have to look at what Will Smith has done since returning from Tommy John, as well as Tony Watson‘s body of work.

Next: Giants Minor League Update

Predictions

I have a hard time seeing this series go in favor of the Giants, but if they could manage to take 2/3 in Chicago, I’ll be more than happy. The Cubs’ staff hasn’t been great and they’re going to have to do their damage early if they want to get ahead before the Cubs’ pen gets into the game. So it would be ideal if the Giants took 2/3, but right now I’ll say Cubs take the series 2-1.

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The San Francisco Giants are headed to the NorthSide of Chicago to take on the Chicago Cubs at the historic Wrigley Field. We’ll break down the series, a few players to watch, and what we expect to happen.

Game 1: Friday, 11:20 AM PT, Kyle Hendricks vs. Derek Holland

Game 2: Saturday, 4:15 PM PT, Chris Stratton vs. Jose Quintana

More from Around the Foghorn

Predictions

Schedule