Chicago Cubs look for third straight over San Francisco Giants

Cubs, Hendricks look for third straight win

The Chicago Cubs are peaking at the right time. After splitting the rain-shortened series with Pittsburgh, they’ve responded by winning the first two against the San Francisco Giants. And this is with a team that still hasn’t fully figured out its day-to-day lineup. One change will be the return of Miguel Montero to the lineup. His career numbers against starter Matt Cain (2-2, 4.91) aren’t great, but catcher David Ross headed to the bereavement list following the death of his grandmother. Matt Szczur was called up to take his place. 

The Cubs (60-48)and Joe Maddon made a little news when perennial starter Starlin Castro was benched in order to get Kyle Schwarber‘s bat in the lineup. Chris Coghlan has become the new “super sub” as he get’s his second straight start at second base–a position he did play in college. The Cubs hope this “new” lineup will help continue the solid stretch of play that has seen them win eight of their last nine games.

Kyle Hendricks gets the start for the Cubs (5-5, 3.67), and will be facing the Giants for the first time. None of the current Giants roster has ever faced Hendricks. In his last outing, he went seven innings against the Brewers allowing just one run on four hits for his fifth win of the season.

For the Giants (59-50), they hope Cain can regain the past form he’s had against the Cubs. Cain is 6-2 with a 2.38 ERA in 15 starts against them in his career.

Maddon emphasized that the move to bench Castro was more about having Kyle Schwarber’s bat in the game more so than being about Starlin. In recalling Szczur, it was the sixth time he’s been called up this season.

First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 pm CT at Wrigley Field. Here are the starting lineups for today’s contest: