Indians at Cubs
After seeing their pitchers get banged up in the series opener, the Chicago Cubs will ask a reliable veteran to turn things around in the finale of their two-game interleague set against the visiting Cleveland Indians on Wednesday. Jon Lester takes the mound for the Cubs hoping to continue his outstanding month and help Chicago salvage a split of the season series.
The Indians roughed up Chicago's pitching staff in Tuesday’s opener, pounding out 11 hits – including Jose Ramirez’s team-leading 14th homer – in a 10-1 rout. Cleveland can earn a split of its eight-game road trip with a win before heading home for seven contests. The Cubs were 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 in the opener, and they were scoreless until pinch-hitter Ian Happ led off the ninth inning with his eighth homer of the season. The nine-run loss matched Chicago’s most lopsided defeat of the campaign.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Adam Plutko (1-0, 3.68 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (4-1, 2.52)
Plutko is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Columbus to make his second start of the year - and his career. The 26-year-old turned in a strong outing against Toronto in the second game of a doubleheader on May 3, allowing three runs and six hits over 7 1/3 innings to record the win. He did serve up three solo homers, however, which could be cause for concern.
Lester is 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA over his last four starts and hasn’t allowed more than two runs in any of those outings. The 34-year-old was dominant at Cincinnati on Friday, striking out eight while giving up one run and two hits over six innings for his second straight victory. Lester is 7-2 with a 3.09 ERA in 16 career starts against the Indians.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cleveland LF Michael Brantley is 17-for-49 with four homers and 12 RBIs during his 11-game hitting streak, the longest active run in the majors.
2. The Cubs have hit 27 home runs in 19 games this month, including two or more in nine contests.
3. Chicago is 14-for-93 with runners in scoring position over its last nine games.