The Chicago Cubs host the Detroit Tigers again tonight in Wednesday Major League Baseball action. The game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ESPN. Currently the odds for the game have the Cubs favored to pick up the win in this one.
The Tigers and Cubs went deep into the night on Tuesday, battling out a two-plus hour rain delay that eventually led to a 10-8 victory. The Tigers came out very solid offensively, scoring three in the first inning behind a couple of home runs from Ian Kinsler and J.D. Martinez. Detroit still believes they can find a way to piece together a solid couple of weeks and sneak into the second Wild Card spot. That's still a bit of a major task, but with four games coming up against Texas this weekend, it's possible the Tigers could find a way to make it interesting.
Picking up a win over the red hot Cubs tonight is crucial. A small two-game sweep of Chicago should go a long way into getting the Tigers back in the right direction. Of course, having Miguel Cabrera back from the disabled list certainly helps, too. In the four games back Cabrera has reached safely in three of those games, but the Tigers are only 2-2.
Jon Lester will throw tonight for the Cubs. He's been a bulldog for Chicago all season, going 8-8 with a 3.21 ERA. Lester has made 15 starts at home this year, going 6-6. He's struck out 99 in just under 96 innings of work, he'll be looking to mow down the Tigers tonight. There are a few that have great numbers against Lester, though. Cabrera has 14 hits in 26 at bats (.560) with one home run. Rajai Davis, Ian Kinsler and Victor Martinez all have great numbers against Lester as well, but Martinez and Cabrera can't both play first base.
The Tigers are sending Daniel Norris to the mound. The youngster, who was the centerpiece of the David Price deal, has looked OK in three starts for the Tigers. The lefty is supposed to have a pretty high ceiling and many believe the prospect can be an excellent pitcher moving forward. Norris has made five starts on the road this season and has a 2-0 record there, his ERA of 2.45 and allowing opponents to hit just .234 have helped his overall record and numbers. Jorge Soler has a base hit in one at bat and is the only Cub to have a base hit against Norris in nine at bats.
The Cubs have been great, but Detroit with Cabrera back in the lineup looks like the team they thought they might have at the beginning of the season. The Tigers have solid numbers against Lester and they find a way to pick up another win here tonight.
Free Pick: Tigers
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