Cubs @ Giants: Series Thread (Games 56-59)
The Cubs swept the Padres to climb to a season high 9 games over .500 and to maintain a narrow lead over the Cardinals for first in the NL Central. Next up, they have a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants, who are now first in the NL West thanks in part to the Cubs' victories over the Padres. See below for the weekend's matchups.
Game 56, Thursday, June 3, 8:45 pm central
CHC: RHP Zach Davies (2-2, 4.65 ERA)
SF: RHP Anthony DeSclafani (4-2, 3.65 ERA)
Davies finished up a vastly improved May with a five inning and one run start against Cincinnati. In May he pitched 31.1 innings and allowed six earned runs despite allowing 12 walks and collecting only 15 strikeouts. Those peripherals are out of line with his career averages, but hopefully they will catch up with the improved results.
Anthony DeSclafani suffered through a rough 2020 season in which he had a 7.22 ERA and a depressed strikeout rate across 11 starts for the Reds. Since joining the Giants, he's back to his career norms except for an improved groundball percentage. DeSclafani is one start removed from an absolute mess in which he allowed 10 earned runs in 2.2 innings to the Dodgers. Last time out, he rebounded somewhat against the same opponents, allowing two earned runs in 4.2 innings.
Game 57, Friday, June 4, 8:45 pm central
CHC: RHP Jake Arrieta (5-5, 4.41 ERA)
SF: TBD
Arrieta was wild in his last start, allowing four walks compared to three strikeouts in 3.2 innings in a loss to Cincinnati. He allowed five runs, two earned. In four main starts, he allowed 10 earned runs, walked eight, and struck out 13 in 19.2 innings pitched.
Game 58, Saturday, June 5, 6:15 pm central
CHC: RHP Kohl Stewart (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
SF: TBD
In his debut with the Cubs, Stewart allowed one run, zero earned, while going five innings as Trevor Williams's substitute. He struck out only two, but he mostly kept the ball on the ground. More of the same would be welcome as Trevor Williams continues to recover from an emergency appendectomy.
Game 59, Sunday, June 6, 3:05 pm central
CHC: RHP Kyle Hendricks (6-4, 4.62 ERA)
SF: RHP Johnny Cueto (4-1, 3.45 ERA)
Hendricks has continued to build on a solid May and improved command with a win against the Padres. He allowed three earned runs but went 6 innings contribute to the sweep of the Padres. Since May 1 he's allowed only three walks compared to 30 strikeouts.
Johnny Cueto's age 35 season is off to a great start. His velocity is up a tick compared to last year and his walk rate is way down compared to the last two seasons. Last time out he went seven innings and allowed one earned run to earn a win against the Angels. Kris Bryant is five for ten with a homerun off of Cueto. Joc Pederson and Anthony Rizzo are a combined eight for 56 with 16 strikeouts off the veteran righty. Javy is 0-9 with five strikeouts.
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