Neither the Chicago Cubs nor the San Francisco Giants figured to be in the mix of their respective division pennant races at the outset off the season. But now that were two months in, it’s time MLB bettors took each team seriously with the Cubs currently sitting atop the NL Central and the Giants atop the NL West. These teams will pick their series back up for Game 3 on Saturday night with potential NL Cy Young Award winner Kevin Gausman toeing the bump for the home team against Kohl Stewart who will get the starting nod for the second time with Trevor Williams ailing on the IL. Due to what looks to be a one-sided pitching matchup, online sportsbooks are likely to have San Francisco lined as decided favorites to come out on top. Stewart just got the job done against the Padres earlier in the week, but will he have enough in the tank to get the best of another NL West opponent? I’m betting he won’t!
First pitch for this showdown of division leaders between the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants is scheduled for Saturday, June 5, 2021, at 7:15 p.m. ET from Oracle Park with live coverage airing on FOX. Bet on MLB odds and player props at BookMaker.eu for this game as well as every day of the season.
MLB Betting Lines at BookMaker.eu
Odds Analysis
A month ago, the Cubs were attempting to prevent the Pittsburgh Pirates from leapfrogging them in the bottom half of the NL Central standings. Fast forward four weeks, and David Ross’s squad sits atop the standings with a half-game lead over the hated St. Louis Cardinals. In catapulting themselves into the catbird seat, Chicago now sits eight-games over the breakeven point and has added $639 worth of baseball betting profit to MLB bettor’s bankrolls. The Giants have been a moneymaker from day one. So much so that there isn’t another team in the league that’s won more money to date $1364. Where the teams differentiate however is in home/road splits. Chicago stands 20-10 $914 as a host heading into Wednesday’s series finale with the San Diego Padres, but just 11-13 and down $275 on the road. San Fran has been a solid bet both at home 15-18, $410 and the road 19-13, $954. The Giants have come out on top six of the last 10 times they hosted the Cubs with the over cashing in at a 5-4-1 clip.
Probable Pitchers
Kohl Stewart: The right-hander was called up to make a spot start against the Friars on Memorial Day. After tossing five innings of shutout ball at Fernando Tatis Jr. and company, Ross elected to give him another turn in the rotation. Be that as it may, his stat line wasn’t overly impressive after giving up 3 hits and an unearned run while logging a 2:1 K/BB ratio; he was allotted 64 total pitches. He’ll face another stiff test with San Fran 23-13 and averaging nearly 5.0 runs per game against right-handed pitching. His only viable pitch is a fastball, and I don’t foresee him being long for this one. That means Chicago’s No. 2 ranked bullpen is likely to be called upon early. If their better arms get some heavy burn in the first two games of the series, it’s likely going to be a long night for the relievers.
Kevin Gausman: The right-hander has come into his own throughout his 1+ seasons by the bay. The owner of a perfect 6-0 record and miniscule 1.40 ERA, Gausman is starting to get some heavy consideration on the odds to win the NL Cy Young Award. Only Jacob deGrom -145, Corbin Burnes +700 and Brandon Woodruff +700 have shorter odds than the 11-year veteran to win the award. That said, he left his most recent start against the Dodgers with tightness in his left hip, so it remains to be seen if he will get the green light to give it a go for start No. 12. If he does, Chicago’s lineup will have a tough time navigating with him only conceding 5.2 hits and 2.0 walks per nine innings. He’ll also be looking to accrue his first career win against the Cubs who’ve raked him to the tune of a 12.00 ERA and .541 BAA through three career starts; each resulted in a loss.
Cubs vs. Giants Prediction
As much as it’ll to pain me to fade my beloved Cubs on Saturday night, I’ll simply have no choice. Oddsmakers are destined to hang a chalky number on the board, but laying it will be the only course of action I’ll take. To offset some of the burden, look to roll the Giants into parlays and hit the alternative offerings by laying the 1, 1.5 or 2+ runs. Should Gausman ultimately make the start, I will expect the injury incurred last time out to not be a hindrance. No reason rushing him back to the bump in a game Chicago will be forced to utilize its bullpen early. San Francisco’s offense is currently red hot having averaged 5.7 runs in its last seven games. That paired with a healthy Gausman should prove to be too steep a hill for the Cubs to climb.
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