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 After averaging only 2.75 runs and hitting .214 during an eight-game
skid, the Tigers broke out in the final two games in Chicago while
scoring 13 runs with eight extra-base hits including three homers.
"I don't know if we're over the hump, but it feels a lot better than
it did a few days ago," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus told reporters.
The Cubs also snapped out of a recent funk over the weekend, taking
three of four at Washington after going winless in their previous
four series. The Cubs have lost four straight at Detroit, including
a three-game sweep in their most recent visit in 2009.
TV: 7:08 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (4-4, 3.86 ERA) vs. Tigers RH
Anibal Sanchez (3-7, 5.69)
After a terrific month of May, Lester was roughed up in his first
start in June, allowing six runs in five innings in a loss at Miami.
The 31-year-old surrendered a pair of home runs and has allowed at
least one in six straight starts. Lester has lost his last two
matchups with the Tigers and is 2-4 with a 4.83 ERA in nine career
starts against them.
The Tigers have lost the last four games Sanchez has started, and he
has been tagged with the loss in three of them. The 31-year-old has
only two quality starts in his last six outings after giving up four
runs over seven innings in a loss to Oakland in his last turn.
Sanchez is 2-2 with a 4.55 ERA in five career starts against the
Cubs.
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WALK-OFFS
1. Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera is 12-for-23 with four doubles and a
homer versus Lester.
2. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 17-for-44 during a 12-game hitting
streak, raising his average to .332.
3. INF Javier Baez, a candidate to be called up by the Cubs soon,
suffered a broken finger Sunday at Triple-A Iowa and is expected to
miss 4-8 weeks.
PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Tigers 4
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