San Francisco @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 21, 2010 ) San Francisco 1, Chi. Cubs 0
Thankfully for the San Francisco Giants, their pitching staff picked up for their sleeping offense on Tuesday. Despite his recent success, Jonathan Sanchez is hoping the bats awaken by game time.
The Giants look to make it three wins in a row tonight when Sanchez takes the mound against the Chicago Cubs in the second game of their three-game series at Wrigley Field.
San Francisco managed just five hits on Tuesday, but one was Buster Posey's solo home run in the top of the eighth inning. The blast proved to be enough as Matt Cain and three relievers combined on a two-hit shutout in the Giants' 1-0 triumph.
With its eighth win in its last 10 on the road, San Francisco maintained its one-half game lead in the National League West over San Diego, which posted a 6-0 victory over Los Angeles.
The game marked the eighth time in the last 12 contests that San Francisco scored two runs or less. The club is 3-5 in those affairs.
The Giants have received tremendous starting pitching over their last 10 games, however. Their rotation has posted a 1.32 ERA over that stretch, allowing nine earned runs in 61 1/3 innings as the team has gone 6-4.
Cain limited the Cubs to a pair of singles over six innings Tuesday before turning things over to the bullpen, which worked three perfect frames. Closer Brian Wilson finished things off, retiring the side in order in the ninth for his major league-leading 44th save.
Sanchez has been one of the Giants' top starters of late, posting a 3-0 record and 1.83 ERA over his last six starts. On Thursday, the left-hander yielded two runs - one earned - and four hits in seven innings, striking out a career-high 12 en route to a 10-2 victory over Los Angeles.
The 27-year-old will be making his second career start against the Cubs. He suffered a 4-2 loss to Chicago on May 4, 2009, surrendering four runs and five hits in just four innings.
In 15 starts on the road this year, Sanchez is 5-4 with a 2.94 ERA.
The Cubs, who had their six-game winning streak snapped Tuesday despite a strong effort by Carlos Zambrano, will counter with Randy Wells.
Wells has won two of his last three decisions, including a 7-2 triumph at St. Louis on Sept. 14 in which he gave up one run and five hits over eight innings.
In two career outings against San Francisco, Wells is 0-1 with a 9.58 ERA. The 28-year-old was tagged for seven runs - six earned - and eight hits in five innings of an 8-7 loss at AT&T Park on Aug. 12 as Pat Burrell went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs and five RBIs.
Wells has not fared well at home this season, going 3-8 with a 4.40 ERA in 17 starts.
Chicago also has struggled at Wrigley Field of late, losing four of its last five.