‘Moore' Magic? Giants Hoping to Stave Off Elimination Yet Again in Game 4
By Brendan Weber ••
It may have taken five hours and four minutes, but the San Francisco Giants are fighting to live another day.
As their emotions cool off and the adrenaline subsides from a wild, roller coaster type of ballgame during a win-or-go-home Game 3 of the National League Division Series, the Giants have a chance to keep their ever-year championship dreams alive Tuesday night at AT&T Park during the fourth game of the best-of-five series.
San Francisco's Matt Moore and Chicago's John Lackey will be tasked with getting their respective squads on track early in Game 4, which is slated to begin at 5:40 p.m.
Moore notched just over 16 innings of postseason work back in 2011 and 2013, tallying a 4.41 earned run average in the process. The 6-foot, 3-inch starter clinched San Francisco's spot in the postseason after pitching eight innings of three-hit, one-run baseball in the season finale, which happens to be last outing on the mound.
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Joe Panik #12 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates after doubling in the game winning run in the thirteenth inning against the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 11: John Lackey #41 of the Chicago Cubs is unable to make the play against Denard Span #2 of the San Francisco Giants at first base in the fourth inning of Game Four of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 11, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 11: Conor Gillaspie #21 of the San Francisco Giants scores on a single by Matt Moore #45 in the fourth inning of Game Four of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 11, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 11: Matt Moore #45 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with first base coach Bill Hayes #58 after an RBI single in the fourth inning of Game Four of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 11, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 11: Matt Moore #45 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with first base coach Bill Hayes #58 after an RBI single in the fourth inning of Game Four of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 11, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 11: Matt Moore #45 of the San Francisco Giants hits an RBI single in the fourth inning of Game Four of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 11, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 11: Matt Moore #45 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after a inning ending double play against the Chicago Cubs during Game Four of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 11, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 11: Matt Moore #45 of the San Francisco Giants throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs in the fourth inning of Game Four of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 11, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Joe Panik #12 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with Brandon Belt #9 after he doubled home the game winning run in the thirteenth inning against the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Joe Panik #12 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates after doubling in the game winning run in the thirteenth inning against the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Joe Panik #12 of the San Francisco Giants doubles home the game winning run in the thirteenth inning against the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Manager Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants hands the ball to Javier Lopez #49 in the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Denard Span #2 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates scoring on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Belt #9 in the fifth inning of Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 08: Brandon Belt #9 of the San Francisco Giants forces out Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs at first base in the fifth inning at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 08: Manager Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants relives Ty Blach #50 in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Conor Gillaspie #21 of the San Francisco Giants throws to first base in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Brandon Belt #9 of the San Francisco Giants hits in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: George Kontos #70 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 08: Angel Pagan #16 of the San Francisco Giants reaches on an infield single in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 08: Hunter Pence #8 of the San Francisco Giants hits a single in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 08: Jeff Samardzija #29 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Johnny Cueto #47 of the San Francisco Giants throws to first base in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacey Revere/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants hits a single in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants hits a single in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Angel Pagan #16 of the San Francisco Giants hits a double in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Conor Gillaspie #21 of the San Francisco Giants is picked off at first base in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacey Revere/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Johnny Cueto #47 of the San Francisco Giants walks to the dugout before the game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacey Revere/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Johnny Cueto #47 of the San Francisco Giants hits a sacrifice bunt in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacey Revere/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Johnny Cueto #47 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Johnny Cueto #47 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs tags out Gorkys Hernandez #66 of the San Francisco Giants during a steal attempt in the first inning at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Al Bello/Getty Images
Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates their 3-0 victory over the New York Mets in the locker room after their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on Oct. 5, 2016, in New York City.
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Conor Gillaspie #21 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with teammates Joe Panik #12 and Brandon Crawford #35 after hitting a three-run homerun in the ninth inning against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates their 3-0 win over the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Conor Gillaspie #21 of the San Francisco Giants runs the bases as he celebrates his three-run homerun in the ninth inning against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Conor Gillaspie #21 of the San Francisco Giants hits a three-run homerun in the ninth inning against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Conor Gillaspie #21 of the San Francisco Giants hits a three-run homerun in the ninth inning against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Conor Gillaspie #21 celebrates with third base coach Roberto Kelly #39 of the San Francisco Giants as he runs the bases after hitting a three-run homerun in the ninth inning against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Conor Gillaspie #21 of the San Francisco Giants hits a three-run homerun in the ninth inning against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Denard Span #2 of the San Francisco Giants steals second against Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets in the fifth inning during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Angel Pagan #16 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after hitting a single in the seventh inning against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Denard Span #2 of the San Francisco Giants hits a single in the sixth inning during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Denard Span #2 of the San Francisco Giants hits a single in the sixth inning during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Hunter Pence #8 of the San Francisco Giants bats in the seventh inning against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: T.J. Rivera #54 of the New York Mets is caught in a rundown by Joe Panik #12 and Brandon Crawford #35 of the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after allowing a three-run home run to Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants speaks with Buster Posey #28 during Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after allowing a three-run home run to Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants speaks with Buster Posey #28 and pitching coach Dave Righetti #19 during Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants hits an RBI single in the third inning during Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Denard Span #2 of the San Francisco Giants scores on an RBI single by Buster Posey #28 in the third inning during Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Denard Span #2 of the San Francisco Giants hits a double in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Denard Span #2 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates after hitting a double in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants thows a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Hunter Pence #8 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after flying out to right field in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Despite being in the majors for six years, albeit mostly in the American League under the tutelage of current Chicago manager Jon Maddon, Moore has almost no history against Chicago's current lineup. The only current Cub to face the left-hander, outfielder Dexter Fowler, is 1-for-1 with a walk with two appearances at the dish, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Moore's opposing number, the 37-year-old Lackey, is no stranger to the playoff atmosphere. In 20 career postseason starts, the right-hander boasts a 3.11 earned run average, which even includes a win way back in 2002 when the then-Anaheim Angel starter pitched against the Giants in the World Series.
Lackey toed the rubber against San Francisco earlier this season, giving up one hit and one earned run in five innings of work.
The Giants, who somehow, someway continue to unearth postseason magic when the season is on the line, will be looking to extend their current streak of 10 consecutive wins in elimination battles Tuesday night.
That double-digit number is the best run in the history of playoff baseball.
EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this story indicated that John Lackey pitched in relief against the San Francisco Giants earlier this season instead of starting.
