As the San Francisco Giants continue their elongated homestand they know that with every passing day comes one less opportunity to march up the NL West standings. Luckily they'll be sending out their red hot ace Tim Lincecum Monday to face the Cubbies Randy Wells as both men look to get their respective teams started on a winning streak.
Lincecum (12-10 2.46 ERA) has gone seven innings or more in his last five outings while never giving up more than 2 runs in those starts. The Giants still managed to churn out two losses during that span, with one run of combined support in both games. And despite a 27-pitch first inning in his last start against the Padres, Lincecum settled in to allow only one run on four hits in eight innings of work, lowering his ERA to 091 over his last four starts. Timmy is 5-5 with a 2.95 ERA in 13 home starts this season, and 3-3 with a 3.21 ERA lifetime against the Cubs. One thing to watch for tonight is Timmy's delivery as he's ditched his wind up during his last few starts, throwing solely out of the stretch. You won't hear anyone complaining though, so let's see if that trend continues tonight.
Chicago's Randy Wells (5-4 5.53) is coming off a great start against the Braves, throwing six and 2/3 innings of one run ball, holding the potent Atlanta office two only two hits in an eventual 3-2 Cubbies win, one of only three wins they've had in their last 12 games.
Food for Thought: 11 of the Giants last 13 games have been decided by two runs or fewer, while the two games they scored more than 4 runs they lost, both 7-5 to the Astros.
First pitch is set for 7:15 pm PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.
For more discussion and analysis of the Giants, head over to McCovey Chronicles.