Giants, Cain Look To Push Winning Streak To Five Games Against Cubs

The Giants’ starting pitchers haven’t been very sharp recently. Ryan Vogelsong allowed four runs yesterday, Matt Cain allowed nine runs on Sunday and Tim Lincecum allowed six runs on Tuesday. But none of their blunders have hurt the Giants in the win column because their offense has bailed them out. Yesterday, San Francisco overcame a 5-0 deficit, and Tuesday, they overcame 6-2 deficit.

But that’s not the formula the Giants consistently want to use in order to win games. The formula they do, and have trademarked over the past three years, is pitching, pitching and  just enough offense to get by. Of course, more offense is always nice, but pitching consistently wins them games.

Apr 11, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) tries to stay warm in the third inning during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

So, Cain gets a chance to redeem himself against a Cubs team that he has dominated in previous years. In 13 career starts, he’s 6-2 with a 2.45 ERA. Additionally, he has won his past decisions against them, and has a 2.45 ERA in six starts at Wrigley Field. However, the weather report suggests that it may be a big day for the hitters, as the wind is blowing straight out to center field at roughly 12 miles per hour. Then again, yesterday was supposed to favor the pitchers.

Regardless, Carlos Villanueva will have to deal with the same circumstances. Chicago’s offseason addition had a very solid season debut on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves, logging 6.2 innings while allowing just one run on six hits and two walks. The right-hander also struck out six Braves’ hitters.

Villanueva has made only one career start against the Giants, as the rest have been in relief. He’s 2-1 lifetime against them with a 4.15 ERA. Hunter Pence and Andres Torres both have one home run against Villanueva in their careers.

Notes:

• Alfonso Soriano has two career home runs against Cain
• David DeJesus is hitting .364 with one home run off Cain in 11 career at-bats
• Matt Cain is the Giants only pitcher without an RBI this year
• Giants have won eight of their last nine games against the Cubs, and last three in Chciago. With a win today, four games would equal their longest winning streak at Wrigley Field since 1994-1995.
• In their last five games, the Giants are hitting .365 (23-for-63) with runners in scoring position after starting out the year hitting .095 (2-for-21)
• The Giants have played three consecutive day games