Justin Verlander, Giants look to shut down high-scoring Cubs

A night after cooling off the visiting San Francisco Giants, the Chicago Cubs will aim to clinch their third consecutive series on Tuesday night.

Chicago has won four of its last five games, including a 9-2 victory over the Giants in the series opener on Monday -- snapping the visitors' three-game winning streak. For the fifth time in seven games, the Cubs scored at least six runs, and have now plated an MLB-most 217 on the season. Chicago also leads all 30 teams in batting average (.262) and hits (332).

The club's phenomenal start to the season at the plate was on display Monday, specifically the sixth inning, when the Cubs posted five runs to pull away from the Giants.

"We just kept moving the line and ended up with a big number on the board," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. "We took advantage of some mistakes, but we also put some real pressure on them with our at bats."

It's hard to point out a spot in the order that Chicago isn't receiving production, and that includes catcher Carson Kelly. After launching his eighth home run of the season on Monday, Kelly is now batting .361 with 23 RBIs.

"He continues to take good swings, have good at bats," Counsell said of Kelly. "Offense from that position is hard to find in this league and when you get it, it makes your offense dangerous."

On the mound Tuesday, Colin Rea (2-0, 1.46 ERA) gets the start -- his fifth of the season.

Last time out, Rea threw six innings of two-run ball in an 8-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.

Rea, 34, will look to find better luck against the Giants, as the veteran right-hander owns a 1-3 record and an 8.57 ERA in four career starts against them.

San Francisco began its six-game road trip Monday on the wrong foot, mustering just two runs while committing four errors.

"Just an off night," Giants manager Bob Melvin said. "Obviously our pitchers had to work a little bit harder after the errors. We're better than that defensively."

The Giants' only form of offense came on Luis Matos' two-run homer in the fourth -- the second in three games for the 23-year-old outfielder.

"He's played three games in a row, and for a young player getting consistent at bats is beneficial," Melvin said of Matos. "After having a tough time to start the season, it looks like he's swinging the bat a lot better."

Justin Verlander (0-2, 4.38 ERA) looks to earn his first win with the Giants on Tuesday in his eighth start with the club.

The future Hall of Famer is coming off his longest outing of the season, pitching 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball in a no-decision against the Colorado Rockies. The Giants lost 4-3.

Verlander, 42, has only faced the Cubs three times over his 20-year career, posting a 2-0 record and a 1.50 ERA against the club.

--Field Level Media