Angels at Cubs
After some fireworks to end the middle contest of their three-game interleague series, the host Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Angels get back together Sunday for the rubber match. The Angels evened the set Saturday with a 6-5 victory in which Chicago's Kyle Schwarber was called out on a controversial check swing to leave the tying run at third base.
The loss halted a bit of a hot streak for the Cubs, who were seeking a season-high third consecutive win. Chicago is trying to win its second straight series following a 2-7 start. The Angels have captured seven of their last eight games after dropping six of their first seven. Saturday’s victory was only the second in eight road games for Los Angeles, which is looking for its first series victory away from home.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Trevor Cahill (1-1, 3.50 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (0-0, 6.00)
Cahill revived his career as a reliever with the Cubs in 2015 and 2016, and he is 5-2 with a 2.83 ERA in 33 career contests (three starts) at Wrigley Field. Most of those appearances came in a Cubs uniform, however, as Cahill is 3-1 with a 4.00 ERA in five games (four starts) against Chicago. The 31-year-old has turned in consecutive quality starts after striking out eight and allowing two runs over six innings on Monday to defeat Milwaukee.
Chatwood was a second-round draft pick of the Angels in 2008 and pitched his first major-league season for them in 2011. The 29-year-old is making his first start of the campaign in place of the injured Jon Lester (hamstring) after beginning the year in a long-relief role. Chatwood continues to struggle with his command as he has issued five walks over six innings in four appearances.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs failed to hit a home run Saturday for only the third time in 14 games this season.
2. Angels INF Zack Cozart broke out of a 1-for-33 slump to start the season by going 3-for-4 with an RBI on Saturday.
3. Chicago C Willson Contreras has been called for catcher’s interference three times this season, which is most in the majors.