Scouting report: Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland Indians
By Bruce Miles
bmiles@dailyherald.com
Cubs vs. Cleveland Indians at Wrigley Field
TV:
WGN and ESPN Tuesday; NBC Sports Chicago Wednesday
Radio:
WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups:
The Cubs' Tyler Chatwood (3-3) vs. Trevor Bauer (3-3) Tuesday at 6:05 p.m.; Jon Lester (4-1) vs. Adam Plutko (1-0) Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.
At a glance:
The Indians lead the American League Central but at 1 game below .500 (22-23). Northbrook's Jason Kipnis is off to a slow start with a .171 batting average. Jose Ramirez provides pop with a line of .295/.384/.601 with 13 homers and 31 RBI, both of which lead the team. Michael Brantley is at .331/366/.570 with 7 homers and 29 RBI. The Indians ranked 10th in the American League in batting average and ninth in on-base percentage entering Monday. Their 67 home runs were tied for second in the AL. The Cubs were first in OBP (.341) in the National League and second in runs scored. Their team ERA of 3.28 led the NL heading into Monday even though they were 10th in quality starts. The two teams split a pair of games at Progressive Field in late April.
Next:
San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field, Friday-Sunday