Chicago @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 10, 2018 ) Chi. Cubs 2, San Francisco 0

The Chicago Cubs haven't exactly been tearing the cover off the ball, but they have a chance to win their fourth consecutive series when they visit the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday afternoon for the rubber match of their three-game set. The Cubs produced only four hits in their series-opening 2-1 loss and managed only six in the middle contest but came away with a 2-0 victory.

Victor Caratini recorded an RBI double for Chicago and David Bote went 2-for-2, giving him hits in four of his last five games. San Francisco registered only three singles in Tuesday's loss, which dropped it to 3-3 on its 10-game homestand. Brandon Belt recorded one of them, making him 8-for-15 during his four-game hitting streak. Chase d'Arnaud also singled for the Giants as he made his first start since having his contract purchased from Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Mike Montgomery (3-3, 3.68 ERA) vs. Giants RH Johnny Cueto (3-1, 1.95)

Montgomery is coming off a loss to Cincinnati on Friday in which he yielded three runs and six hits in five innings. It was the second straight five-frame outing for the 29-year-old Californian after five consecutive turns in which he worked six innings - four of which saw him allow just one run. Montgomery is 0-1 with a 3.78 ERA in two starts and two relief appearances against San Francisco in his career.

Cueto's return from the disabled list did not go as planned as he suffered the loss against St. Louis on Thursday after surrendering five runs and 10 hits in five innings. It was the first outing since April 28 for the 32-year-old Dominican, who missed over two months with elbow inflammation after allowing three runs over 32 frames in his first five turns of the season. Cueto has made 25 career starts versus the Cubs, going 9-9 with one complete game and a 3.35 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant (shoulder) went 0-for-2 in the second game of his rehab assignment with Double-A Tennessee and could be activated from the disabled list and in the lineup on Wednesday.

2. San Francisco 3B Pablo Sandoval was hitless on Wednesday after going 5-for-10 over his previous two contests.

3. Chicago sent LHP Brian Duensing (shoulder) on a rehab assignment to Tennessee.

PREDICTION: Giants 5, Cubs 2