The Chicago Cubs return to the scene where they ended a 108-year drought when they open a two-game interleague series against the host Cleveland Indians on Tuesday. It’s the Cubs’ first trip to Progressive Field since winning Game 7 of the 2016 World Series there to capture their first championship since 1908.
While the Cubs are relishing their return, the Indians have put their near-miss behind them. "It's in the past," Cleveland's Francisco Lindor told reporters. "There's nothing I can do about it. It was definitely a cool experience. I was blessed to be in it, but it didn't turn out the way I wanted, so I kind of forget about it." Cleveland will be happy to be home, though – it is 6-2 at Progressive Field – as it looks to register a fourth straight victory. The Cubs have won three of their last four and scored eight or more runs in four of their last six games after a slow start at the plate.
TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, WGN (Chicago), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (0-3, 4.60 ERA) vs. Indians RH Josh Tomlin (0-2, 8.00)
Chatwood has shown nasty stuff in his first three starts with the Cubs, but his command has been shaky. The 28-year-old has issued 14 walks in 15 2/3 innings, including seven over 4 2/3 frames in a loss to St. Louis last time out. Chatwood is 0-1 with a 3.21 ERA in three career games (two starts) against the Indians.
Tomlin skipped his last start because of an ailing back, so he hasn’t taken a turn in the rotation since working five scoreless frames against Detroit on April 10. The 33-year-old threw an inning in relief Wednesday against Minnesota, allowing an unearned run and taking the loss in a 16-inning contest. Tomlin never has faced the Cubs in the regular season but made two starts in the World Series showdown, allowing six runs over seven frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant left Sunday’s game at Colorado after taking a pitch to the helmet but showed no signs of a concussion and is not expected to miss time.
2. Indians 2B Jason Kipnis (eight games), C Yan Gomes (eight), and OF Michael Brantley (seven) all had hitting streaks snapped Monday.
3. Chicago 2B Javier Baez (13-for-30, three homers, 13 RBIs) and CF Albert Almora Jr. (12-for-27, homer) are riding six-game hitting streaks.