Preview: Tigers at Cubs

[August 18, 2015]  After running into a buzzsaw, the Chicago Cubs look to get their offense back on track when they host the Detroit Tigers for a two-game interleague series starting Tuesday. The Cubs had a season-best nine-game winning streak snapped with a 3-1 loss to the crosstown-rival White Sox and ace Chris Sale on Sunday but have won 15 of their last 17.

Chicago hopes its 18 strikeouts Sunday were merely a blip and looks to return to the form that produced an average of 5.8 runs per game during its winning streak. While the Cubs remain in prime position to make the postseason, the Tigers are poised to see their string of four straight division titles come to a close. Detroit has lost three straight series after dropping two of three in Houston over the weekend to fall a season-high five games below .500. The Tigers turn to right-hander Anibal Sanchez, who his 3-2 with a 3.57 ERA in six starts against the Cubs, including 7 2/3 innings of shutout ball in a victory June 9 in Chicago.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Detroit, ABC 7 (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (10-10, 4.95 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jason Hammel (6-5, 3.10)

Sanchez won seven straight decisions in June and July but has fallen on hard times recently, going 0-3 with a 6.94 ERA over his last four starts. The 31-year-old was tagged for five runs in 5 1/3 innings in a loss at Kansas City on Tuesday thanks to three home runs. He has given up nine homers in his last five outings and 28 this season, tied for the most in the majors.

Hammel has been given a short leash of late, failing to make it through six innings in any of his last six starts. The 32-year-old was lifted after only 65 pitches last time out despite allowing just one run and four hits over 5 2/3 against Milwaukee. Hammel is 2-2 with a 7.18 ERA in eight appearances (five starts) against the Tigers but hasn't faced them since 2013.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs CF Dexter Fowler is 8-for-19 during a five-game hitting streak.

2. Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera has recorded consecutive multi-hit games since going hitless in his return from the disabled list on Friday.

3. The Cubs are 8-8 in interleague play this season, while Detroit is 7-10.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Tigers 3

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