Giants To Start Jeff Samardzija In Game 2 Against Cubs
(CBS) Right-hander Jeff Samardzija on Saturday will face his former team in a game carrying huge implications.
The Giants have tabbed Samardzija to start Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Cubs, whom Samardzija was drafted by in 2006 and played for from 2008-'14.
Samardzija went 12-11 with a 3.81 ERA for the Giants this season and started once against the Cubs, taking a no-decision while allowing three runs in just four innings on Sept. 1.
"It's his day," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He's earned it."
Samardzija will be opposed by Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks.
The other option for San Francisco was to throw left-hander Matt Moore (13-12, 4.08 ERA) in Game 2. While Bochy hasn't committed to anything past Game 2, Moore would seem the logical candidate to pitch Game 4. Ace left-hander Madison Bumgarner is expected to go in Game 3 on Monday on full rest after throwing a complete-game shutout in Wednesday's NL wild-card game.