There is reason for optimism in Detroit, where the Tigers’ youth movement appears to be heading in the right direction.
The Tigers likely will have several rookies in the lineup again on Thursday when they face the host Chicago Cubs in the decisive game of a three-game series.
Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter and rookie Trey Sweeney homered in Detroit’s 8-2 win on Wednesday. Sweeney hit a two-run blast that just cleared the center field wall for his first career homer.
Detroit has won seven of its plast nine games with young players such as outfielder Parker Meadows, catcher Dillon Dingler, third baseman Jace Jung and Sweeney all playing key roles.
Sweeney, 24, has started three times at shortstop since being recalled from Triple-A Toledo last week for his major league debut. He was acquired last month in the trade-deadline deal that sent Jack Flaherty to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“He’s very reliable, and it’s steady,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “One of the things that (infield coach) Joey Cora is going to work on with him is certain little adjustments, but really, he makes all the plays. He made plays to his right with plenty of arm strength. He made plays to his left with a ton of athleticism. A lot to like about what he brings on the defensive side.”
Chicago is looking to bounce back following another disappointing night at the plate. The Cubs have won two of their past four games but scored a total of eight runs in that span.
Christian Bethancourt provided Chicago’s offense on Wednesday with a two-run homer in the fifth inning. The Cubs were unable to manufacture any other runs despite putting a runner in scoring position in both the sixth and seventh innings.
“The next hit’s important,” Chicago manager Craig Counsell said. “It’s how you score runs.”
The Tigers sealed the Wednesday victory with four runs in the ninth inning against Jack Neely, who was making his major league debut.
Chicago left-hander Justin Steele (3-5, 3.10 ERA) is set to take the mound in the series finale. He should be well-rested after pitching just two scoreless innings against the Toronto Blue Jays last Saturday.
Steele, 29, was lifted following two rain delays that lasted a combined 55 minutes.
“Tomorrow’s game is the game it affects the most, but we’re also looking at Justin’s health,” Counsell said after that contest. “Just didn’t think putting him out there after two delays was good both now and the rest of the season.”
Steele is set to start against Detroit for the first time. He pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief against the Tigers on May 15, 2021.
Detroit is expected to use an opener in front of right-hander Kenta Maeda (2-5, 6.18 ERA), who has made a seamless transition to the bullpen since being removed from the Tigers’ rotation.
Maeda, 36, has a 3.28 ERA over his six relief appearances covering 24 2/3 innings. He tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen against the Seattle Mariners on Aug. 15.
“Kenta came right in and attacked,” Hinch said. “Outside of a couple first-pitch hit-by-pitches, he had a really good game.”
Isaac Paredes is 1-for-8 with four strikeouts against Maeda, who is 1-1 with a 5.52 ERA in three career starts vs. Chicago.
