Are the Cubs a Safe MLB Betting Pick Against the Giants on Wednesday?

The San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs play Game 3 of a four-game series and rematch of last year’s NL Division Series on Wednesday night. Of course the Cubbies knocked off the Giants in four games in that series and Chicago will be an MLB betting favorite here. Now, before heading into this series, the Giants had a 3 game weekend series against the St. Louis Cardinals, which they won at 2-1. For the Cubs, they had a 2 game weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers, ending it at tie, 1-1.

How To Bet Giants at Cubs MLB Betting Preview & TV Info

RECAP: #SFGiants pick up the W thanks to a big night from @JoePanik. https://t.co/D5djjxHvUW pic.twitter.com/5QOwAObiW7

— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) May 23, 2017

When: Wednesday, May 24, 8:05 PM ET Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago Probable pitchers (away/home): Matt Moore/Kyle Hendricks TV: MLB Extra Innings Stream: MLB.tv Radio: San Francisco / Chicago Opening MLB Lines: Cubs favored by TBA

Why Bet On San Francisco?

The Giants are without outfielder Hunter Pence. Pence (hamstring) ran sprints and did agility drills Monday. Pence won’t be ready for activation when first eligible on Tuesday, but his activities Monday would seem to be a good sign that he’s not far off. It’s unclear whether he’ll require a rehab assignment before returning to the Giants’ lineup. After winning just two of their first 11 series of the season (which included two splits), the Giants have put some momentum together and won three consecutive series entering this one. After taking three of four from the Cincinnati Reds and two of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Giants rolled into St. Louis for a matchup with the red-hot Cardinals and won two of three over the weekend. It’s lefty Matt Moore (2-4, 5.37) on the mound. Moore gave up two runs on five hits and three walks over six innings while striking out five in a no-decision against the Cardinals on Friday. The Giants scored all six of their runs after Moore was out of the game, so despite his strong effort, he was never in line for the victory. The left-hander seems to be settling down after his rough start to the season and now has a 2.89 ERA and 17:7 K:BB over his last three outings, although his 1.45 WHIP during that stretch is shaky. He’ll face a tough test Wednesday on the road against a Cubs team that ranks fifth in the league in wOBA (.342) against southpaws. Moore’s 10th start of the season, including his sixth on the road, will be his first career regular-season appearance against the Cubs. He has struggled on the road this season, going 0-3 with an 8.63 ERA.

Why Bet On Chicago?

The Cubs have called up reliever and lefty Zac Rosscup from Triple-A Iowa. Rosscup was non-tendered by the Cubs over the winter before being re-signed to a minor league deal and he earned a spot back on the 40-man roster with a 3.45 ERA and 25/3 K/BB ratio over 15 2/3 relief innings for Iowa. He’ll be used in low-leverage situations. Dylan Florio was sent down. Reigning NL MVP Kris Bryant had his ninth career multi-home game on Sunday. Bryant’s nine multi-homer efforts prior to the age of 26 are tied for third-most in franchise history with Anthony Rizzo. Hall of Famer Ron Santo and former outfielder Sammy Sosa each recorded 10 multi-homer games for Chicago prior to their 26th birthdays. Bryant’s first homer Sunday was his third to the opposite field … in 2016, none of his 39 homers were hit to the opposite field. While batting .333 (14-for- 42) with the bases loaded, the Cubs are hitting just .216 (74-for- 343) in all other runners in scoring position situations. Overall, the team’s .229 mark (88-for- 385) with RISP is second-to- last in the N.L., ahead of San Diego (.226). Chicago is 8-5- 1 in 14 series thus far. The club won six of its first seven series to begin a season for just the fifth time since 1916. The team also turned the trick in 1932, 1938, 1995 and 2016. It’s 2016 NL ERA champion Kyle Hendricks for the Cubs. Hendricks (3-2) allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings in Wednesday’s 7-5 win over the Reds. Hendricks retired 10 of the last 11 batters he faced, allowing only a walk, and he didn’t allow a hit after the third. After a bumpy beginning to the campaign, Hendricks has now delivered quality starts in four of his last five trips to the mound. Control remains an issue for him, however, as he’s walked multiple batters in seven straight starts and his 3.6 BB/9 is a far cry from the 2.1 and 2.2 marks he posted the last two seasons. Hendricks’ well-hit average allowed in his past five starts is .133; in his first three starts, it was .290. He led the majors in that metric a season ago at .089. Soft contact is the name of his game.

San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs MLB Betting Pick: Cubs

Over his past five outings, Hendricks has a 1.82 ERA with 25 strikeouts against 11 walks.