Thursday, August 6, 2015

Wrigley Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Christopher Heston (11-5) vs. Jason Hammel (6-5)

The Chicago Cubs welcome the San Francisco Giants to Wrigley Field on Thursday. The probable starters are Christopher Heston for the Giants and Jason Hammel for the Cubs. The opening line for this matchup has San Francisco at +108 and Chicago at -118. The Giants, with a 57-49 run line record, cover the spread 54% of the time. They also have a 52-47 over/under record. The Cubs are 48-57 against the run line and have a 40-57 over/under record. They cover the spread 46% of the time.

The Giants come into this game with a 58-48 record, and they are 28-25 away from home. Christopher Heston has an earned run average of 3.24 and is 11-5 so far on the season while having a 1.18 WHIP. In his starts, the Giants are 14-7 over his 130.2 innings pitched this season while giving up 117 hits during those innings. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 11-9. The team is averaging 5.4 runs when he starts. The bullpen has an earned run average of 3.31 and they have given up 295 base hits on the year. The bullpen has struck out 265 and walked 96 batters this season while opposing teams hit .237 against them. San Francisco has a team average of 8.59 hits allowed per game and are averaging 7.07 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.70, they are 12th in the league.

San Francisco is batting .272 as a team, which is good for 3rd in the league and hitting .276 away from home. The Giants hold a .413 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .328 which is good for 4th in baseball. With 119 hits, Buster Posey leads the team while his team ranks 2nd in hits per game with 9.43.

With a 58-47 overall record, Chicago will come into this game 27-24 at home. Jason Hammel is starting this game 6-5 for the season with an earned run average of 3.13 and a WHIP of 1.04. In his starts, the Cubs are 9-11 and he has allowed 99 hits over 118 innings pitched this season. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 8-12. The team is averaging 3.8 runs when he takes the field. The bullpen has an earned run average of 3.41 and they have given up 298 base hits on the year. The Cubs bullpen has struck out 317 batters and walked 127 this season while opposing teams have hit .234 against them. Chicago has a team average of 8.02 hits per game and are averaging 8.59 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.40, they are 5th in the league.

They are batting .238 as a team, which is good for 29th in the league and hitting .227 at home. The Cubs hold a .373 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .315 which is good for 14th in baseball. With 112 hits, Anthony Rizzo leads the team while his team ranks 28th in hits per game with 8.1.

San Francisco has a team fielding percentage of .987 after having committed 53 errors with 1,127 assists and 2,846 put outs for the season. Over the course of this season, the Cubs have accumlated 70 errors while having 1091 assists and 2,855 put outs leading to a .983 fielding percentage.

San Francisco Giants Betting Trends

The San Francisco Giants are 52-47 against the over/under so far this season

The San Francisco Giants are 57-49 against the run line so far this season

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 40-57 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 48-57 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

San Francisco Giants

08/04/15 2B Joe Panik Back Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/2)
07/31/15 P Tim Hudson Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/31)
07/20/15 C Andrew Susac Thumb Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/19)
07/01/15 P Tim Lincecum Forearm Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/28)
06/18/15 2B Marco Scutaro Back Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (6/17); out for season

Chicago Cubs

07/29/15 P Neil Ramirez Abdominal Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/29)
07/17/15 C Miguel Montero Thumb Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/12)
04/15/15 2B Tommy La Stella Ribs Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/9)
04/06/15 P Jacob Turner Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Guy's Pick: Take the Giants

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn