The Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers are set to meet up on Wednesday afternoon for the rubber match of their three-game set. Even though these two teams are in very different spots in the standings, this has been a wildly entertaining and highly-competitive series.
The Chicago Cubs are currently holding a Wild Card spot in the National League, but they don’t have much margin for error. Chicago won the series opener by a score of 7-6 but then got off to a terrible start in game two on Tuesday night.
Detroit comes into this game with an overall record of 58-68, but they have actually been playing some great baseball of late. The Tigers don’t appear to have much of a chance of reaching the postseason, but there is plenty of baseball left to play.
The Detroit Tigers are moneyline betting favorites in the series finale at -120 over the Chicago Cubs.
Taillon Needs to Tame the Tigers
Jameson Taillon is making the start for the Cubs in this game, and he has gone just 7-8 with a 5.56 ERA on the year. Taillon has been pitching much better over his last few starts, but he’s not a pitcher that can shut a team down.
The Cubs entered this series with one of the best bullpen ERAs since the start of July, but that group has struggled to get out. Chicago might be in for a long day if Taillon is not able to quiet the bats of Detroit in the early going.
Cody Bellinger enters play with a .321 batting average, and he also leads the team with 20 home runs and 65 RBIs. The Cubs have a deep and talented lineup, but they have also been striking out way too often against the Tigers.
Detroit Playing Some Long Ball
Detroit has hit just 127 home runs so far this season, but you wouldn’t know it if you have paid attention to this series. The Tigers have been belting the ball all over the park, and that confidence should carry over into this game.
Spence Torkelson has been the best hitter for the Tigers this season, and he leads the way with 23 home runs and 69 RBIs. The Tigers still have some holes in their everyday lineup, but they are showing off some power.
Tarik Skubal will start for the Tigers on Wednesday afternoon, and he is 3-2 with a 3.76 ERA on the year. Skubal has not yet allowed a run in 18.1 innings pitched at home so far this season.
Tigers Pick Up Series Win
The Cubs have been one of the best teams in baseball since the start of July, but they appear to be running out of pitching. You can’t expect Taillon to pitch too deep into this game, and the Cubs are dealing with a very tired bullpen.
Detroit has been swinging the bats well of late, and they are coming into this game on Wednesday afternoon with a ton of momentum. Look for the Tigers to have another big day at the plate, and the Cubs simply won’t be able to catch up.
Take the Detroit Tigers on the moneyline at -120 as they pick up a second straight win, and take the series from the Chicago Cubs.
