The Detroit Tigers got off to a decent start in the shortened 2020 MLB regular season, going 9-8 in their first 17 contests. Since then, though, they have dropped eight of ten and sit at 11-16, 7 ½ games behind the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central. On Wednesday night, they host the Chicago Cubs (18-10), who have split their last ten games but still maintain a three-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central. The Cubs send one of their best to the mound in Jon Lester as the Cubs look to create some distance between themselves and the Cards during their series with the Tigers.
Check out our MLB betting preview of this interleague matchup.
MLB Betting: August 26
Chicago Cubs at Detroit Tigers
Game Details
When: Wednesday, August 26, 2020, 7:10 pm ET
Where: Comerica Park, Detroit
TV: MLB Extra / Fox Sports
Radio: WSCR 670 AM Chicago / WXYT 97.1 FM Detroit
Live Stream: MLB.tv
Game Betting Odds
Probable pitchers (away/home):
Jon Lester (2-1, 5.06 ERA) (CHI) vs Michael Fulmer (0-0, 9.53 ERA) (DET)
Cubs vs Tigers | Check the MLB Odds
Why should you Bet on the Cubs?
Jon Lester got off to a stellar start in 2020, allowing just two earned runs in his first three starts. However, in his two starts since then, he has been getting lit up like a pinball machine. In starts against Milwaukee and the White Sox, he has permitted 13 runs on 18 hits, including six home runs, lasting just 9 ⅔ combined innings. He has struck out eight and walked none, but the problem is that his pitches are apparently finding way too much of the plate. Against the White Sox alone, he gave up four long balls in a 10-1 loss on August 21.
The good news for Lester is that he is facing a Tigers team that has already decided to turn the page and see what next year’s players will do for the team. He needs to focus on throwing strikes that aren’t in the fat part of the strike zone. The Cubs’ offense is still firing on all cylinders, so as long as he can keep the team in the game, the Cubs have a solid chance of winning this one.
Why should you Put your Money on the Tigers?
As generous as Jon Lester has been to opposing batters, Michael Fulmer is approaching that level. He’s been working more as an opener as opposed to a longer-inning starter, not going more than three innings in any game. While he was able to mow down the White Sox for three scoreless innings on August 10, in his three other starts (one against Kansas City and two against Cleveland), he has permitted 12 earned runs on 15 hits, including six long balls, over 8 ⅓ combined innings. He has struck out eight in those three starts, but like Lester, he’s finding too much of the plate to help his team.
If there is a positive in a youth movement, it is that you have a bunch of players with nothing to lose, because they are just enjoying the moment and trying to make their mark as far as finding a place on the 2021 major league team. Third baseman Isaac Paredes and pitchers Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize have come up in the last week, and we will see how they contribute. These are all on the top ten prospect list for the team. Can they turn some Lester fastballs into home runs?
Final Score and Prediction
If I have to pick between Lester and Fulmer as to which pitcher will bounce back, I’m going with the Cubs’ lefty. Fulmer has not lasted more than three innings all season long, which means the Tigers will depend on their bullpen earlier than the Cubs will.
I like Chicago to win, 8-4.
Cubs at Tigers | Bet on the Game Now!
