San Francisco Giants @ Chicago Cubs – Series Preview

The Cubs just took three strait from the NL East leading Marlins, and appear to have their offense back on track with Bradley and Soto healthy and Aramis Ramirez set to join them anyday. At 13-11 the Cubs find themselves three and a half games back of the Central division leading St. Louis Cardinals.

Chicago will welcome the San Francisco Giants (11-11) for a two game set at Wrigley before heading off on a short five game road trip to divisional foes Houston for two and Milwaukee for three.

Giants lineup
1. Randy Winn RF
2. Edgar Renteria SS
3. Pablo Sandoval 3B
4. Bengie Molina C
5. Aaron Rowand CF
6. Fred Lewis LF
7. Travis Ishikawa 1B
8. Emmanuel Burriss 2B

I’ve had this series marked on my calendar ever since that punk Edgar Renteria signed with the G-men this past offseason. Following the incidents of two years prior (SEE HERE FOR SHORT REMINDER, OR HERE) involving previous, repeated beanings of Alfonso Soriano by the Braves, Ted Lilly and Edgar clotheslining Mike Fontenot, I’ve been waiting to see Renteria step to the plate against Cubs pitchers. Here’s hoping he takes one to the trapezius.

You've yet to face the music for this Bush league play Edgar, today is that day.

Game 1 – 8:05 pm EST, WCIU

Ryan Dempster (1-1 5.40 ERA) vs. Jonathan Sanchez (1-1 2.60 ERA)

Dempster has shown no signs of putting together another career year like he did in 2008. His command has been all over the place, issuing 14 walks and giving up 29 hits in 30 innings in 2009. While still making hitters miss, striking out 25 on the season so far, Dempster has been less than stellar in each of his starts.

Sanchez is an impressive strikeout pitcher, but like Dempster this season, his command has kept him from tapping his full potential. Last year in 29 starts, Jonathan struck out 157 batters in 158 innings but walked 75. This year he has fanned 17 hitters in 17.1 innings, but walked 12.

Whomever has the best command in Game 1 should come away with the victory.

Advantage: Cubs – slight.

Game 2 – 2:20 pm EST, CSN

Sean Marshall (0-1 3.32 ERA) vs. Tim Lincecum (2-1 3.16 ERA)

Marshall has pitched very well early on in his role as the fifth starter. The giraffe-legged southpaw has quietly amassed quality numbers. In 19 innings, he’s posted a respectable 3.32 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 7.11 K/9 and 2.84 BB/9. Because the injury bug has devoured the Cubs’ offense, run support and wins have been elusive for the fourth-year starter — his 3.79 RS/9 ranks 58th among qualifying NL starters. Marshall’s tweaked arsenal has done wonders for his confidence and overall performance. Practically eliminating the slider from his repertoire, Marshall now relies exclusively on three pitches: a high 80s mph fastball, cutter and nasty, knee-buckling curve. Marshall has drawn a commendable number of groundballs (1.11 GB/FB ratio) by painting the outside corner with marked effectiveness, a quality indicative of growing maturity.

Lincecum, the reigning Cy Young winner, has overcome two mediocre starts to begin the season and is right back to his 2008 form. In his last three starts, Lincecum has pitched 23 innings, striking out 33 batters, and getting two wins while posting a 1.56 ERA and a 12.92 K/9 ratio.

Advantage: Giants – moderate.