MLB Game Preview: Chicago Cubs (76-55) vs. San Francisco Giants (63-68)

Game Details

First pitch is set for 9:45 p.m. ET at Oracle Park in San Francisco.

Betting Trends

• Chicago is 8–2 over its last 10 games, outscoring opponents by 12 runs.
• San Francisco is 4–6 in its past 10, being outscored by four runs.
• The Giants have hit the team total Under in 36 of their last 53 home games.
• In 2025, the Cubs rank seventh in wOBA and sixth in ISO versus right-handed pitching, while San Francisco ranks dead last in wOBA and fourth-highest in strikeout rate against southpaws.

Key Storylines

• Chicago aims to extend its three-game win streak to nine, riding the momentum of a sweep in Los Angeles to start its West Coast trip.
• San Francisco looks to snap a two-game home skid after Justin Verlander’s last outing saw seven earned runs in 4⅓ innings, ballooning his ERA to 4.64.
• The Cubs have trimmed Milwaukee’s divisional lead to five games and boast a 6.5-game cushion in the Wild Card race, making every road victory crucial.

Players to Watch

Chicago Cubs

• Matthew Boyd, LHP: Sporting a 12–6 record with a 2.61 ERA and 1.04 WHIP, Boyd has yielded two runs or fewer in 12 of his past 15 starts.
• Nico Hoerner, 2B: Batting .291 with 21 doubles, three triples and four homers this season, Hoerner has recorded a hit in each of his last four games.

San Francisco Giants

• Justin Verlander, RHP: The future Hall-of-Famer is 1–10 with a 4.64 ERA and 1.44 WHIP for 2025 and has a 5–17 record in his starts against the Cubs this year.
• Willy Adames, INF: Leads the Giants with 22 homers, adding 18 doubles and a .225 batting average backed by 63 walks.

Pitching Matchup

Boyd hunts his 13th win and aims for another sub-three-run outing, while Verlander looks to solve his road woes in a ballpark where lefties have had success.

X-Factors

• Offensive Split: The Cubs’ lineup thrives versus righties, but Verlander’s veteran craftiness could disrupt Chicago’s rhythm early.
• Home Ballpark: Oracle Park’s spacious outfield typically suppresses run totals, reinforcing the Under play after the Giants’ recent low-scoring stretch.