San Francisco Giants (34-36) vs. Chicago Cubs (33-37)
San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs 6/17/24 – As MLB season unfolds, Wrigley Field should provide an intriguing contest between the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs at 8:05 PM ET. Both clubs currently stand near or at.500 but look to gain momentum as we head toward midseason. This contest could prove pivotal as both look to advance further within their respective divisions; using multi-expert top picks this analysis provides a thorough preview.
The Giants have enjoyed an encouraging run recently, going 3-2 in their last five games while showing some resilience on the road. Their average batting average sits at.244, on-base percentage sits at.314, and slugging percentage stands at.379; thus far they’ve amassed 293 runs with 65 homers so far while pitching has been inconsistent (averaged 4.34 with an WHIP of 1.32) The Giants must tighten up pitching while capitalizing on modest power hitting in order to beat Cubs at Wrigley this Saturday afternoon!
At the other extreme, Chicago Cubs have struggled to establish themselves over recent weeks as their recent 2-3 record testifies. Their lower team batting average of.228, along with similar on-base and slugging percentages have left them struggling at bat compared to San Francisco Giants; yet their pitching staff maintains an improved ERA (3.92 WHIP = 1.29); this may prove instrumental for success against Giants opponents.
San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs 6/17/24s Game Info
| When: | Monday, June 17, 2024, at 8:05 PM ET |
| Where: | Wrigley Field |
| TV: | |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Pitching Matchup: Jordan Hicks (4-3, 3.01 ERA) vs. Javier Assad (4-2, 2.81 ERA)
Jordan Hicks represents the San Francisco Giants with an outstanding portfolio; boasting an ERA and WHIP ratio of 3.01 for 71.2 innings pitched this season. His ability to maintain an impressively low ERA in today’s high-scoring MLB environment exemplifies his skill at managing tight situations. Hicks has shown impressive control of his pitches with 62 strikeouts to only 24 walks; though any control issues might cause issues against more disciplined opponents. His fastball can reach upper 90s speed; combined with his sharp slider he is an unyielding opponent on the mound; however 6 homeruns allowed indicate his vulnerabilities which the Cubs’ batters may exploit if Hicks is careless with pitch placement.
On the contrary, Javier Assad of the Chicago Cubs has posted an outstanding 2.81 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 73.2 innings pitched, narrowly outclassing Hicks when it comes to overall effectiveness this year. Assad excels at maintaining consistency and managing games effectively; evidenced by 72 strikeouts to 30 walks over his three year MLB career demonstrating an ability to get outs in crucial situations. His approach combines speed with accuracy and movement to thump out off-speed pitches that pose special difficulty to batters. Assad has given up 8 homers compared to Hicks’ 7, signalling his vulnerability against power hitters. A matchup between these two pitchers will likely boil down to which can better take advantage of each opponent’s strengths while exploiting any weaknesses, creating an exciting battle on the mound.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
Betting odds and point spreads have yet to be established for this game; given recent performances and pitching matchup, betting enthusiasts could find this contest highly anticipated and profitable.
San Francisco Giants Betting Trends
The Giants have proven themselves unpredictable on the road, boasting an inconsistent 17-18 record against the spread. Though totals have gone over in only 2 of their past 5 games, their scoring habits could make this match up quite competitive when betting over/under.
Chicago Cubs Betting Trends
The Cubs have shown some strength on the road, going 19-19 against the spread. But their last five games did not see total go over; which could cause bettors to favor going under for this matchup.
San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs 6/17/24 Betting Picks
This match-up presents an especially difficult decision with both teams showing similar strengths and weaknesses, although considering pitching strengths and recent form could give the Cubs an edge due to their lower ERA and home advantage at Wrigley Field.
Given their pitching matchup and recent form, betting on a close game seems prudent. The Cubs might just edge out an edge due to their superior pitching and home advantage; prop bets may prove more profitable given both starting pitchers are strong as is their recent trend of low scoring games for both clubs; those searching for MLB free predictions might consider backing a tight Cubs win as one possible result of such wagers.
Free Pick and Prediction: Chicago Cubs 4, San Francisco Giants 3.