Cubs at Giants
The Giants have won 10 of their last 15 games to move four games behind the first-place Dodgers in the National League West, but they received a scare Friday when closer Santiago Casilla left in the ninth inning with a knee injury. While the Giants wait to learn more about Casilla’s injury, the Cubs will try to figure out how to solve their road woes.
Chicago has lost eight straight road games and fell to 6-18 away from Wrigley Field with Friday’s 4-3 loss to the Giants. With the Cubs now 11 games out of first in the National League Central, many fans are turning their attention toward top prospect Anthony Rizzo, who was acquired from the Padres during the offseason. The first baseman is batting .354 with 17 home runs and 46 RBIs for Triple-A Iowa, but the Cubs are being cautious after Rizzo struggled last season when he was called up by San Diego.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Matt Garza (2-3, 4.22 ERA) vs. Giants RH Matt Cain (5-2, 2.79 ERA)
Garza has been sharp at home, but he’s 1-3 with a 6.84 ERA in five road outings. After a strong start, Garza is 0-2 with a 13.50 ERA in his last two outings, and the Cubs are winless in his last four appearances. He won his lone career start against the Giants last Aug. 30, when he gave up two runs in 6 2/3 innings.
Cain has won four consecutive starts, including last Sunday when he gave up two runs (one earned) over 6 2/3 innings against the Marlins. Cain, who is 5-2 with a 2.16 ERA in 11 career starts against the Cubs, would even his career record at 75-75 with a victory.
WALK-OFFS
1. Giants CF Angel Pagan singled in Friday’s game to extend his home hitting streak to 25 games, the longest in franchise history.
2. The Cubs claimed RP Jairo Asencio off waivers from the Indians, and he’s expected to join the team on Saturday.
3. Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval (hand) could begin a rehab assignment in the low minors as early as this weekend.