Down 0-2 in the NLDS, the San Francisco Giants face another tall task in Game 3 on Monday, with 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta taking the hill for Chicago.
Fortunately, the Giants have their postseason stud, Madison Bumgarner, going as well, but Giants beat writer Andrew Baggarly told the Murph and Mac show that there is another reason San Francisco should like their chances against one of the best pitchers in baseball.
“I think that the Giants are a good matchup for Arrieta as opposed to maybe some other teams” Baggarly said. “Arrieta is a guy who will get you out, out of the strike zone. You know his stuff is so live, it’s really tough to lay off the pitches out of the zone, but the Giants strikeout the fewest of any team in the major leagues.”
“If these guys can stay disciplined and really just let those pitches go, and work deep counts, then I think maybe they can rub some sticks together and get something going.”
Thusfar, the Giants offense has had a very hard time getting anything going offensively in this series, mustering just two runs in the first two games at Wrigley Field. Even with Bumgarner on the bump tonight, the Giants cannot win simply by pitching well (see Game 1) and cannot take it as a given that Bumgarner will be able to dominate the potent Cubs lineup.
“It’s unfair that you expect so much out of one guy,” Baggerly said. “Again, the Giants season is sort of on his shoulders, and the other guys just have to do a better job of supporting him. I think that means with Arrieta, just make sure you’re disciplined, you’re hunting strikes and you’re letting him throw those wild pitches.”