San Francisco Giants (12-12) vs. Chicago Cubs (14-11) MLB Baseball Picks: This short two-game series between the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs concludes this afternoon, beginning at 2:20 PM ET (11 AM PT) from Wrigley Field. Last night, Chicago was able to take the opening game, 4-2, on the strength of Ryan Theriot’s 2-run blast and a stellar pitching effort from Ryan Dempster (7.0 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 7 SO).
Tonight, however, the Chicago Cubs [-104 ML] will need all hands on deck to have any chance of beating San Francisco Giants [-106 ML] starter, RHP Tim Lincecum (2-1, 3.16 ERA), as he goes up against LHP Sean Marshall
(0-1, 3.32 ERA).
After a rough start this season, Lincecum’s last three outings have looked like what we saw during his Cy Young winning last year.
With an outstanding, 33-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio and opponents are batting just .193, Lincecum goes for his third consecutive victory against the Cubbies’ rotation.
"This has so much history here," Lincecum said of Wrigley. "Look at all the new stadiums that are coming out — Yankee (Stadium) and Citi Field. There's tons of new ballparks out there in the last 10 years. This is one that stands like Fenway — it just has that feel."
Lincecum has much reason to love Wrigley, as he has allowed just two earned runs in two career starts there. The fact that he was drafted in 2003 by the Cubs out of high school, but was never signed, gives him that extra motivation when he takes the hill. "I don't mind warming up here," Lincecum said. "You here all the chitter chatter from the fans, but that comes with any game… This is my favorite stadium. I just like the whole old-school look. It's stood the test of time. It still is its time."
