Baseball Preview: Tigers at Cubs

CHICAGO (Interstat) — The Chicago Cubs look to take the rubber match of their three-game series against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field.

First pitch is set for 2:20 p.m. EDT.

The Cubs (56-44) evened the series Tuesday with a 3-0 shutout victory after the Tigers (47-53) won Monday’s series opener 8-6 in 10 innings. Wednesday’s game carries significant weight for both clubs, with Chicago holding a comfortable lead in the National League Central race while Detroit seeks to climb back toward .500.

Detroit will start right-hander Keider Montero (6-5, 4.02 ERA) or right-hander Colin Rea (7-6, 3.89 ERA). The Tigers have not announced which pitcher will take the mound, though Montero is the listed probable. He has been inconsistent of late, allowing four earned runs over five innings in his last outing July 16 against Cleveland.

Chicago counters with right-hander Jameson Taillon (8-5, 3.71 ERA). Taillon lasted just 4 1/3 innings Monday against the Tigers, surrendering four earned runs on five hits while striking out six. The veteran righty has been solid overall this season but will need to rebound against a Detroit lineup that tagged him in the series opener.

Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler has been the most dangerous hitter in the series. The rookie backstop went 4-for-5 with two home runs and three RBIs in Monday’s win. Over his last 10 games, Dingler is batting .270 with three homers and four RBIs, though he went 0-for-3 in Tuesday’s loss.

For the Cubs, left fielder Ian Happ remains a key offensive threat. He homered Monday, going 1-for-4 with two RBIs. First baseman Michael Busch is hitting .312 over his last 15 games with four homers.

The Tigers have won five of their last seven games overall, including a three-game sweep of the Athletics and a series victory at Los Angeles against the Angels. The Cubs have won six of their last eight, including a three-game sweep of the Reds and a series victory over the Twins.

Chicago is projected as a -1.5 favorite on the run line, according to Interstat’s game simulator, which projects a 7-6 final score. The over/under is set at 8 runs.

Following Wednesday’s contest, the Tigers return home for a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals beginning Thursday, while the Cubs travel to Pittsburgh for a three-game set against the Pirates starting Friday.