Chicago @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 25, 2015 ) Chi. Cubs 8, San Francisco 5

The red-hot Chicago Cubs placed more distance between themselves and their closest wild-card pursuer in the series opener with San Francisco and look to defeat the host Giants in Wednesday's second contest of a three-game series. Chicago has won six consecutive games and leads the Giants by 7 1/2 games in the battle for the National League's second wild-card spot.

The Cubs' 8-5 victory on Tuesday continues their offensive assault as they have scored 40 runs during the six-game streak. Chicago has won 21 of its last 25 games to move a season-best 22 games above .500, while San Francisco is just 2-6 during a 13-game stretch versus NL Central squads. The Giants, who are 0-5 against the Cubs this season, are better placed in the NL West race as they trail the Los Angeles Dodgers by 2 1/2 games. Slumping catcher Buster Posey was 1-for-3 in the opener and is 4-for-33 over his past nine games as his batting average has dropped 16 points to .314.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN, CSN Chicago, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (6-5, 4.03 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jake Peavy (3-6, 4.35)

Hendricks is 2-0 over his last five starts but has pitched more than 5 1/3 innings just once during the stretch. He received a no-decision against Atlanta in his last outing when he gave up three runs, seven hits and struck out seven in five innings. Hendricks defeated the Giants on Aug. 8 in his lone career outing against them when he allowed three runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Peavy lost to Pittsburgh in his last outing when he gave up four runs and seven hits in six innings. He has given up nine runs over his last two starts after allowing just three in his previous three turns. Peavy is 8-6 with a 2.81 ERA in 17 career starts against the Cubs, including a loss Aug. 9 when he gave up two runs and four hits in five innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant is 11-for-26 with four homers and nine RBIs over the past seven contests.

2. San Francisco CF Angel Pagan (knee) will play the third game of a rehab assignment Wednesday and could return to the big-league club later this week.

3. Chicago LF Kyle Schwarber is 4-for-30 over the last eight games — and all four hits are homers.

PREDICTION: Cubs 11, Giants 5