Cubs at Giants
The San Francisco Giants just can't win baseball games when Madison Bumgarner takes the mound. The Giants are just 1-8 when their ace starts a contest this season and look to change the trend when they host the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday afternoon for the finale of their three-game series.
Bumgarner is saddled with a 1-5 record as he tries to make something out of a season that was interrupted by the shoulder injury he suffered during an April 20 dirt-biking accident. San Francisco has an opportunity to win the series after All-Star Buster Posey ended a 23-game home-run drought with a three-run blast to fuel Tuesday's 6-3 victory. The defeat was Chicago's eighth in 24 games as the team was able to maintain its 1 1/2-game lead over Milwaukee in the National League Central lead over Milwaukee. Chicago's torrid play has been fueled by its superb performance on the road as Tuesday's loss was just its second in the last 14 contests away from home.
TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, MLB Network, CSN Chicago, NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (4-4, 3.81 ERA) vs. Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (1-5, 2.88)
Hendricks is 0-1 with a 2.76 ERA in three starts since being sidelined for seven weeks due to tendinitis in his pitching hand. The 27-year-old tied a season best by pitching seven innings in his last turn, when he gave up three runs and five hits - two homers - in a no-decision against Washington. Hendricks is 2-2 with a 3.80 ERA in four career starts against the Giants, losing both of his previous two outings at AT&T Park.
Bumgarner is 1-2 with a 2.78 ERA in five starts since coming off the disabled list, with his lone win of the campaign coming against Pittsburgh on July 25. The 28-year-old lost to Arizona in his last turn, when he gave up two runs and five hits over seven innings. Bumgarner is 8-2 with a 2.25 ERA in 12 career outings against the Cubs and 5-0 with a 1.74 ERA over the last six.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs RHP Koji Uehara (neck) departed Tuesday's game while RHP Hector Rondon (back) sat out but should be available for the finale.
2. San Francisco RHP Johnny Cueto (forearm/blisters) is expected to resume throwing this weekend.
3. Chicago 2B/LF Ben Zobrist, who is 6-for-12 against Bumgarner, hasn't driven in a run in his last 11 contests.