The Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs will wrap up a brief two-game interleague series on Wednesday night. The Tigers were able to win the series opener, defeating the Chicago Cubs by a score of 2-1. Game two of the series features an excellent pitching matchup of left-handed veteran starters.
The Detroit Tigers are in third place in the American League Central division, but are more than 20 games behind the Cleveland Indians. The Cubs continue to lead the National League Central division, but the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals are hot on their trail. The Chicago Cubs are -180 in the series finale on Wednesday night.
Cubs Offense Scuffling
The Chicago Cubs offense has been very nonexistent of late. The Cubs have scored just five runs in their previous five games, hitting a solo homer in each game. The Cubs are 2-3 in their last five, but they need to find a more balanced offense. Anthony Rizzo hit the solo homer for the Cubs in the series opener, who managed to tally 8 hits, but just one run on Tuesday night.
Veteran left hander Jon Lester will make the start for the Cubs on Wednesday night. Lester is 13-5 with a 3.72 earned run average through 25 starts this season. He had struggled since the All-Star Break before turning in an excellent start in his last time out. Lester threw six shutout innings to earn the victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. He will look to contain a struggling Tigers offense on Wednesday night.
Liriano Makes Start For Tigers
Veteran left hander Francisco Liriano will start for the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night. He will do his best to keep the Chicago Cubs offense quiet in the series finale. Liriano has struggled for the Tigers in 2018, and comes in with a 3-8 record to go along with a 4.72 earned run average. Liriano suffered the loss against the Cubs on July 4th, giving up three earned runs in six innings pitched.
The Detroit Tigers have struggled to score runs all season long, but they have a few offensive stars. Nick Castellanos was named the American League offensive player of the week for his performance last week. Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez continues to produce in what he has called his final season in Major League Baseball. The Tigers face a tough pitcher in Jon Lester on Wednesday night.
Lester, Cubs Win on Wednesday
The Detroit Tigers played the role of spoiler on Tuesday night and will look to do the same in the series finale. The Tigers managed just two first-inning runs in the series opener, but it proved to be enough. Francisco Liriano will look to have a better outing against the Cubs on Wednesday.
The Chicago Cubs need to find offense, and they need to do so in a hurry. The Cubs are expected to have newly acquired Daniel Murphy in their lineup Wednesday night, and he is a proven hitter. Look for Murphy to spark the Cubs offense in support of Jon Lester on Wednesday to earn the win. Bet the Chicago Cubs -180 over the Detroit Tigers in this game.
