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MLB Betting – San Francisco vs. Chicago Preview & Pick

Shea weighs in with his MLB Free Pick for Thursday. It’s the San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs matching up at Wrigley Field. The Cubs are currently 102-moneyline favorites…

Thursday MLB Betting – Giants vs Cubs Preview & Pick

Here come the defending champs. The San Francisco Giants are still the fourth-lowest scoring team in the majors but they’ve rattled off seven straight victories anyway.

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MLB Betting – Giants vs Cubs Preview & Pick
Date: Thursday, June 30, 2011
Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Broadcast: CSBA,WGN
San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs Betting Lines from BetOnline.com
Money Line: Cubs -103
Over/Under:
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San Francisco Giants (46-34 through June 28)
Matt Cain (7-4, 3.22)

It’s no secret why. The Giants have allowed three earned runs or fewer in six of their seven straight wins.

With guys like Matt Cain taking the hill every night, it’s no wonder San Fran barely needs offense these days. Remember when Cain used to be a hard-luck loser? He takes matter into his own hands these days. Cain is 4-0 over his last five starts, allowing one earned run or fewer in four of those outings.

To the Giants’ credit, their hitters exploded for 19 runs over the first two games of their four-game set with the Chicago Cubs this week. All their slumping hitters, from Aubrey Huff to Aaron Rowand to Pablo Sandoval, knocked in some runs. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Chicago Cubs (32-48 through June 28)
Carlos Zambrano (6-4, 4.38)

The bleeding won’t stop for the poor Cubbies, who have lost seven of 10 and are hurtling toward last place in the National League Central.

At least Carlos Zambrano has something to play for. He recently stated that he’s willing to waive his no-trade clause and accept a deal to a contender. Even though his 4.38 ERA this season would qualify as career worst by far, he has plenty to offer a pitching-starved club.

Big Z has five quality starts in his last seven tries.

MLB Trends:

Under is 8-1-1 in SF last 10 Thu. games.
SF are 7-1 in their last 8 overall.
SF are 7-1 in their last 8 games on grass.
Over is 7-3-1 in CHC last 11 Thu. games.
Over is 7-3 in Zambranos last 10 starts on grass.
Over is 7-3 in Zambranos last 10 starts overall.
SF are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
CHC are 7-3 in Zambranos last 10 starts vs. SF.

The pick:

Is Zambrano just the guy to cool off San Francisco’s bats? History suggests he is. Zambrano is 5-1 over 10 starts and 11 appearances against the Giants in his career, compiling a 2.58 ERA. Then again, Cain is just as good against Chicago, going 5-2 with a 2.38 ERA over 10 starts.

Even though Carlos Pena is piping hot at the dish for the Cubs, Cain has held lefthanded hitters to a .182 average this season.

It ain’t an easy choice with two great hurlers taking the mound Thursday but I’ll lean San Francisco’s way. The champs are on fire. Their bats are also awake for the first time in months.

Giants vs Cubs prediction: Giants 3, Cubs 2

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By Shea Matthews

Shea Matthews the Senior Writer at CP. Lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national papers. Shea applies his knowledge to sports betting + handicapping daily, and shares winning picks with the world.