Cubs @ Tigers: Lester vs. Sanchez (Game 56 Thread)
CHC (30-25): LHP Jon Lester (4-4, 3.86)
DET (30-28): RHP Anibal Sanchez (3-7, 5.69)
First pitch: 6:08pmCT
Fowler# cf Bryant 3b Montero* dh Denorfia lf Castro ss Lake rf Ross c Russell 2b | Davis cf Kinsler 2b Cabrera 1b Cespedes lf Martinez, J dh Castellanos 3b McCann c Wilson 3b Iglesias ss |
Lester has lost his last two starts, including the ugly 5 inning affair, when he gave up 6 ER in Miami. He pitched well against WAS but got beat by Scherzer and some sloppy defense. Lester is 2-4 with a 4.83 lifetime ERA against the Tigers. He has started 3 times at Comerica over the last 3 years, in which he is 1-1, with a 5.82 ERA. Detroit is hitting him at a .375 clip at home in that time.
Sanchez has had an f-ugly season. In his last time out, against the A’s, he gave up 4 ER in 7 innings, with 5 hits and 4 BBs. He’s had a couple of good outings, but mostly he just gets knocked around. He’s in danger of losing his spot in the rotation when Verlander comes back this weekend.
Rizzo is working a 12-game hitting streak. As a team, the Cubs are a lowly 12-61 (.197) against Sanchez. Montero, the first Cub DH of the year, is hitting .176 (3-17, with a HR) against him. Our better than average backup catcher is 2-11 with a HR.
Miguel Cabrera is 14-27 (.519) with just one HR against Lester, which would be something were it not for the fact that he does that against everyone. Rajai Davis is 12-21 (.293) with a HR. The righty-heavy Tigers are hitting .289 against Lester.
Signing news: The Cubs have signed (the now Scott Boras-free) Rafael Soriano to a minor league deal. He had decent numbers last year with WAS: 4-1 with a 3.19 ERA and 32 saves, although he did blow 7 other chances. When he pitched for Joe in 2010 for the Rays, he went 3-2, 1.73 ERA, with a tasty .80 WHIP, and had 45 of 48 saves.
The Tigers had lost 8 in a row before stopping their skid by winning the series against the White Sox on the Southside. Detroit could make it a short night for Lester, so we’ll need to dirty up this Sanchez.
Go Cubs!
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