San Francisco Giants starters vs. Chicago Cubs hitters

The San Francisco Giants are set to kick off arguably their most important series of the season against the Chicago Cubs.

With the Chicago Cubs coming to town for a three-game series, the red-hot San Francisco Giants will have a chance to show they belong in the same conversation as one of the National League’s top contenders.

It will be Shaun Anderson, Madison Bumgarner and Tyler Beede toeing the rubber for the Giants as they look to slow down a Cubs offense that ranks seventh in the majors with a .791 OPS.

Ahead we’ll take a look at how San Francisco Giants three projected starters have fared against Chicago Cubs hitters over the course of their careers.

Monday starter: Shaun Anderson

• No head-to-head stats

Rookie Shaun Anderson is 12 starts into his MLB career, seven of which have come against fellow NL West foes. He will be facing everyone in the Cubs lineup for the first time, and unfamiliarity is often a chip in the pitcher’s favor, so we’ll see if he can take advantage.

Tuesday starter: Madison Bumgarner

• Anthony Rizzo: 3-for-16, 7 K
• Jason Heyward: 3-for-15, HR, 4 K
• Kris Bryant: 2-for-11, 2 K
• Javier Baez: 1-for-10, 5 K
• Daniel Descalso: 1-for-10, 2 K
• Addison Russell: 0-for-7, 7 K
• Kyle Schwarber: 1-for-6, 2 K
• Martin Maldonado: 0-for-4, 2 K
• Albert Almora Jr.: 2-for-3, HR

Madison Bumgarner is on a roll right now and he has absolutely owned the Cubs hitters, especially the middle-of-the-order trio of Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Javier Baez who have gone a combined 6-for-37 with 14 strikeouts.

Wednesday starter: Tyler Beede

• Daniel Descalso: 0-for-1

That’s right, backup infielder Daniel Descalso is the only player on the Cubs roster who has faced Tyler Beede, and it’s fair to say he saw a different version of him last season. The 26-year-old Beede has a 2.00 ERA over his last four starts, including eight shutout innings last time out, and he’ll look to keep it rolling in the series finale on Wednesday.

If this trio can turn in quality starts for the San Francisco Giants and keep things close, the offense has proven capable of coming up with the clutch hit and the bullpen continues to be a strength.