Chicago @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( May 27, 2014 ) Chi. Cubs 0, San Francisco 4

Pablo Sandoval looks to extend his RBI streak to eight games Wednesday when the San Francisco Giants host the Chicago Cubs in the rubber match of a three-game series. The Giants’ third baseman has raised his batting average by 72 points over the last three weeks to .239 by hitting safely in 18 of his last 20 games, and he’s driven in 17 runs in his last 16 games. Sandoval is aiming to become the first Giants player to drive in a run in eight straight games since J.T. Snow in 2003.

Cubs third baseman Mike Olt leads all National League rookies with nine home runs, but he’s 12-for-76 (.158) over his last 26 games. The bullpen continues to be a bright spot for Chicago, which needs a win Wednesday to snap a run of 12 straight road series without a series victory. The Cubs’ relievers boast a 1.59 ERA over their last 14 games, and rookie Neil Ramirez has not allowed a run in his last eight appearances covering 7 2/3 innings.

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, CSN (Chicago), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Edwin Jackson (3-4, 4.94 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Lincecum (4-3, 4.55)

After posting a 1.80 ERA in his first three starts this month, Jackson allowed eight runs over four innings against San Diego last Friday. The Padres homered twice off the 30-year-old, who had allowed just two home runs in his first 54 innings this season. Sandoval is 7-for-13 with a home run against Jackson, who is 2-2 with a 4.66 ERA in seven career games (six starts) against San Francisco.

Lincecum walked a season-high six batters last Friday against Minnesota, but he escaped with the win after throwing 112 pitches and allowing two runs over six innings. “He was bobbing and weaving out there the whole game,” manager Bruce Bochy told reporters. “That’s a lot of pitches, but the kid found a way to make pitches when he had to.” The two-time Cy Young award winner is 4-5 with a 3.59 ERA in 12 career starts against the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Jackson has yielded 23 of his 31 earned runs this season in the first two innings.

2. The Giants are 24-1 when leading after six innings.

3. Cubs SS Starlin Castro is 7-for-19 with a home run against Lincecum.

PREDICTION: Giants 6, Cubs 4