Cubs lefty Ted Lilly remains undervalued while Tigers righthander Armando Galarrago has been atrocious this season. Chalk Thursday's matinee in Detroit up to the Cubs.
The Detroit Tigers have won six in a row and own one of the better home marks at 22-11.But there's a reason why they are a home 'dog today. That reason is a pitching matchup of Ted Lilly against Armando Galarraga. It's enough to make me lay a small price on the Cubs.
Lilly is underrated. He has been one of the most consistent pitchers in the National League this season. He's 5-2 with a 2.78 ERA in his last 10 starts. He has a 23-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio during his past 23.1 innings. Lilly is well suited to pitch in spacious Comerica Park, too, being a fly ball pitcher.
As for Galarraga, he shouldn't even be in the majors anymore. He is 0-7 with a 7.48 ERA in his last 10 starts. Opponents are batting .343 against him during this span.
The Cubs are one-for-23 with runners in scoring position during the first two games of this series. A correction is due in short order. Expect it to happen in this matchup.
The Tigers' bullpen worked four innings on Wednesday night. Closer Fernando Rodney had a rocky ninth inning throwing 24 pitches before getting out of a jam. Chicago is the right call.
Free Pick: Cubs -117