The set-up: The Cubs roared out of the gate after the All Star break, winning 14 of 17 games. However, the Cubs open edthis three-game series at San Francisco having lost four of five, with their lead in the NL Central down to just a half-game. However, the the sad-sack Giants were just what teh doctor ordered, as the Cubs won 5-3 and with a Milwaukee loss, their lead is back to 1 1/2 games. As for the now 44-70 Giants, they are an unimaginable 36 1/2 games back of the-hated Dodgers in the NL West plus own MLB's worst moneyline mark of minus-$3109.

The pitching matchup: Carlos Quintana (6-9 & 4.42 ERA overall; 2-1 & 4.13 ERA for the Cubs) will get the start for the Cubs, up against San Francisco rookie Tyler Blach (7-7 & 4.24 ERA), who pitched just 17 innings in 2016. Quintana surrendered six runs over five innings in his last start, a 10-8 Thursday loss against the Diamondbacks (he escaped with a no-decision). However, that was the only downer on an otherwise strong start since moving from the south side of Chicago with the White Sox to the north side. He had gone 2-1 (2.37 ERA) in his first three starts for the Cubs. Blach is off an excellent start last Thursday, an eight-inning outing in which he allowed two runs on six hits during an 11-2 victory over the Oakland A's to even his record at 7-7. In his lone career start vs. Chicago (on May 22 at Wrigley), he allowed three runs with three strikeouts and no walks in a 6-4 victory.

The pick: Blach been a solid starter in what's been a 'nightmare' season for the Giants but the Cubs have an excellent chance here in San Francisco to regain the mojo they had right after the break. That's the bet here, as "the Cubs win, the Cubs win," again. Make the Cubs an 8* play.