Samardzija: Wrigley return will be 'crazy experience'

Jeff Samardzija returns to Wrigley Field Thursday, in what should feel very much like a playoff atmosphere - something the veteran pitcher has only experienced once.

The 31-year-old will start for the San Francisco Giants against the major-league leading Cubs, in the city where Samardzija made his only postseason appearance - as a rookie in 2008.

He told Chicago Tribune reporter Mark Gonzales that it should be a "crazy experience."

The Giants are chasing the Los Angeles Dodgers in a tight NL West race, while the Cubs have a 15-game lead in the NL Central. Considering the Cubs' success and Wrigley's energy, Samardzija will be looking to prove that he's capable of pitching in an electric environment.

The Cubs dealt Samardzija to the Oakland A's in 2014, before he struggling with the Chicago White Sox in 2015. Despite the tough season, he's rebounded with San Francisco in 2016 after signing a five-year, $90-million contract.

"They got it right with Kris (Bryant)," Samardzija said of his former team. "I knew (Anthony) Rizzo well, and Riz was a can't-miss guy. They spent the money, that's a big part of it, too. You add guys like (Jon) Lester and (Jason) Heyward and so on. You make your team a lot better, just adding one guy."