The Chicago Cubs are clicking thanks in large part to an unlikely power surge from Ryan Theriot. They can expect their new-found offensive rhythm to be put to the test by the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner.
Theriot and the Cubs look to extend their season-high winning streak to five games Tuesday when they take on Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants in the finale of a two-game series at Wrigley Field.After finishing second in the majors with 5.31 runs scored per game in 2008, Chicago (14-11) is in the middle of the pack with 4.84 this season. However, the Cubs have gotten more consistent production during their four-game winning streak because of Theriot.
The speedy shortstop known more for hitting for average than power has homered in three of those games, and the Cubs are averaging 6.0 runs and batting .273 during the streak.
Theriot entered the month with seven career homers and has never hit more than three in a season. His first career grand slam in a win over Florida on Friday ended a streak of 620 at-bats without a home run.
"Philosophy is still the same," Theriot said after hitting a two-run shot in the second inning of the Cubs' 4-2 win on Monday night. "I'm going to continue to do what got me here and that's to take the ball the other way and get on base and the homers will come."
Theriot and the Cubs could have a hard time continuing their offensive surge against Lincecum (2-1, 3.16 ERA). After a shaky start, the right-hander has struck out 33 in 23 innings while allowing just four runs and 16 hits in those three appearances.
"Everything felt fine," he said after striking out eight in seven innings of a 9-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. "Pitches were moving the way they were supposed to."
Lincecum is 2-1 with a 2.54 ERA in four career starts against the Cubs, including 1-0 with a 1.26 ERA in two games at Wrigley Field, where he's struck out 17 while allowing only eight hits over 14 1-3 innings.
Theriot is 3-for-14 (.214) lifetime against Lincecum. Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez, batting .333 with three homers and 14 RBIs in 15 games this season, is 1-for-13 (.077) with four strikeouts in his career against him.
For Lincecum's pitching to stand up, however, San Francisco (12-12) may need more from its offense. Though they've split their last four games, the Giants have totaled seven runs and batted .195.
"We've got to get runs," manager Bruce Bochy said. "The last couple games we've struggled to get runs. The pitching has been fine. Now it's time to get some runs on the board. That's what has to happen."
Bochy's club will try to snap out of its funk by continuing its success against Sean Marshall (0-1, 3.32). He's 1-2 with a 7.79 ERA in four career games - three starts - against the Giants.
The Cubs have lost all seven games Marshall has started since he won July 6 at St. Louis. The left-hander is 0-3 with a 3.89 ERA in those seven starts, including 0-1 with a 3.50 ERA in three this season. He held Florida to one run over seven innings of the Cubs' 8-2, 10-inning loss on Thursday.
