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The Tigers vs. Cubs betting line for Wednesday was: Detroit +180, Chicago -215, Total: 9.
The Cubs will be looking to prevent a three-game losing streak when they host the Tigers on Wednesday.
Detroit still has a small chance of grabbing a wild card spot in the American League, but the team must get hot in a hurry. The Tigers did take a step in the right direction on Tuesday, though, defeating the Cubs 10-8 behind 19 hits. They’ll now go for a two-game sweep and starting for them will be LHP Daniel Norris (2-2, 4.24 ERA, 28 K), as he goes up against LHP Jon Lester (8-8, 3.21 ERA, 149 K) for Chicago. These teams have met just three times this season and Detroit has won two of those three games, with two of the contests also going Over the total.
The Tigers are 13-4 against the money line after a game where they had 17 or more hits over the past two seasons. They are also 22-8 against the money line after scoring nine runs or more in that time. The Cubs, however, are 28-17 against the money line in August games over the past two seasons. Jon Lester’s teams are also an incredible 24-5 against the money line when he’s on the mound as a favorite of -150 or more over the past three seasons.
Since being traded to the Tigers, Norris has pitched very well when starting on the road. In his only home appearance for Detroit, Norris allowed five earned runs on nine hits in just 3.1 innings of work. In two road starts, however, he has allowed just four earned runs in 13.2 innings. This game could be a different story for him, as this Cubs team is very good offensively. He’ll need to be at his best or Chicago will likely light him up and come away with a victory on Wednesday.
One guy who can do some serious damage for the Tigers in this one is 1B Miguel Cabrera (.349, 16 HRs, 57 RBIs), who is 14-for-25 with a homer, four RBIs and eight walks against Lester in his career. Cabrera will be extremely confident going up against a pitcher he has dominated in the past and will need to get it going in this game.
CF Rajai Davis (.245, 3 HRs, 17 RBIs), DH Victor Martinez (.243, 9 HRs, 51 RBIs) and 2B Ian Kinsler (.304, 7 HRs, 55 RBIs) have also had success against Lester, combining to go 30-for-98 with four homers and 15 RBIs against the Cubs’ ace that spent a majority of his career in the American League. This lineup has given Lester issues in the past and there’s no reason it won’t be able to on Wednesday.
Lester has had his struggles this season, but he has recently started to pitch extremely well. Over his past five starts, the Cubs’ ace is 4-0 and has allowed just eight earned runs total. He’s racked up two double-digit strikeout games in that span and will now look to pick up a win against a Tigers lineup that he has had some issues with in the past.
Working in his favor is the fact that his team has been hot at the plate lately. Chicago’s offense has put up six or more runs in four of the past five games. C Kyle Schwarber (.310, 9 HRs, 30 RBIs) has racked up three homers and nine RBIs over the past five games. He’s been a huge spark since being called up for Chicago and will need to keep it up moving forward.
3B Kris Bryant (.252, 16 HRs, 66 RBIs) has gone hitless over the past two games and will need to turn things around fast. Chicago is still fighting for position and it will need Bryant to be at his best in the box.
1B Anthony Rizzo (.295, 23 HRs, 70 RBIs) continues to be one of the most consistent hitters for this team. He’s been hot in August, batting .346 this month and will be trying to keep that up the rest of the way.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
