Game Fifty – Cubs (19-30) vs. Giants (32-19)
- Game Time – 9:15pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 185, 844
- Location – AT & T Park, San Francisco
Jake Arrieta (1-0, 2.33/1.55/3.05) vs. Tim Hudson (4-2, 2.13/0.88/3.06)
The Cubs will shoot for their second win in a row in San Francisco tonight behind Jake Arrieta. If the offense can figure out how to string together hits against Tim Hudson, the Cubs could win their first series on the road since last September in Cincinnati (Sept. 9-11). But that will be a talk task with Hudson on the hill.
Tim Hudson has found the fountain of youth in his return to the Bay Area. Hudson has been lights out for the Giants and a very good compliment to Madison Bumgarner with Matt Cain not being Matt Cain, at least on a consistent basis yet this season.
Look for Rick Renteria to load his lineup tonight with as many lefties as he can. Left handers have hit .233/.279/.344 off Hudson this season while right handers have managed a .198/.205/.319 slash line. And over the course of his career, Hudson has not fared as well against lefties (.256/.321/.353) as he has against righties (.238/.292/.303).
Tonight it all starts with Jake Arrieta …
Jake Arrieta is coming off a very good outing against the Padres. Arrieta had good command of his fastball and breaking stuff in San Diego and issued only one walk in six innings of work. Arrieta and Welington Castillo appeared to be on the same page as Arrieta found an early rhythm and limited the Padres to one run on four hits. Arrieta tied a season-high with seven strikeouts.
The Cubs pushed Jake Arrieta back (nine days) after his start against the Cardinals in which he really struggled with his command. Arrieta worked with Chris Bosio and the extra work appeared to do the trick, at least for one outing. Arrieta has always struggled with his consistency. It will be a big test for Arrieta to see if he can pick up where he left off in San Diego but against a much better team tonight.
Arrieta is making his fourth straight road start and is 1-0 in three starts outside of Wrigley with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. Arrieta faces the Giants for only the second time in his career tonight.
Jake Arrieta beat the Giants on June 15, 2010 at AT & T Park after allowing one run on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts in seven innings. Arrieta earned his second big league win in his second career start.
Giants Career Numbers against Jake Arrieta
Tim Hudson is one of the many reasons the Giants have the best record in baseball. Questions were raised during the off-season after San Francisco inked Hudson to a contract. He was coming off the broken leg he suffered last season and many felt his better days were well behind. Hudson has proved the critics wrong and is off to a fantastic start to the season.
Tim Hudson started the game in Denver last Thursday that was suspended in the in the six inning with the game tied at two. Hudson pitched three innings and allowed one run on five hits with two walks and a strikeout. Hudson has made 10 starts this season and has allowed more than two earned runs one time in nine starts. And in 63 1/3 innings, Hudson has walked six batters while striking out 10 and allowing 50 hits.
The Cubs will get their first look at Tim Hudson in a Giants’ uniform tonight. Hudson is 3-1 in seven career starts against the Cubs with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Tim Hudson
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …