Giants at Cubs
The Chicago Cubs’ major offseason signing hasn’t yet paid many dividends, and he won’t be on the mound as scheduled for the finale of their three-game series against the visiting San Francisco Giants on Sunday night. The Cubs had to shuffle their rotation for the rubber match of the set, as Tyler Chatwood will move up a day after prized free agent Yu Darvish was placed on the 10-day disabled list Saturday with triceps tendinitis.
Chatwood will oppose Ty Blach in the finale after the Giants evened the series with Saturday's 5-4 triumph. Brandon Crawford stayed red-hot for San Francisco, going 2-for-3 with a double and a homer, and is batting .446 with four blasts and 20 RBIs in 23 games this month. The Giants won for just the second time in their last 11 road contests, putting them in position to win their first series at Wrigley Field since 2014. The Cubs have lost five of their last six home games.
TV: 8:08 p.m. ET, ESPN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Ty Blach (3-4, 4.37 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (3-4, 3.74)
Blach has failed to get through the fifth inning in each of his last three starts. The 27-year-old gave up four runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings of a no-decision against Colorado last time out. Blach is 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA in two career starts against the Cubs, both of which occurred last season.
Chatwood’s control woes continued in his last start, as he issued six free passes while giving up four runs in just 2 2/3 innings of a loss to Cleveland. The 28-year-old has racked up 40 walks in 45 2/3 frames this season. Chatwood is 7-4 with a 2.84 ERA in 17 career games (16 starts) against the Giants.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 9-for-32 during his eight-game hitting streak.
2. San Francisco OF Gorkys Hernandez is 13-for-31 during his career high-tying eight-game hitting streak.
3. Chicago recalled LHP Randy Rosario from Triple-A Iowa to take Darvish’s spot on the roster but are expected to make another move to fill a spot in the rotation on Tuesday.