Cubs @ Astros: Lester vs. Martin (Game 53)
CHC (30-22): LHP Jon Lester (3-3, 2.68 ERA)
HOU (36-19): RHP Corbin Martin (1-1, 4.97 ERA)
First pitch 7:10pmCDT
The Cubs mounted a comeback bid yesterday, but it wasn't enough to overcome Hamels' rough start in the series opener. Jon Lester heads to the mound to even things out tonight. He's looked very hittable in his last two starts, allowing nine earned runs on 17 hits (three homers) in 8.1 innings pitched. Michael Brantley is 8-24 off of him with 9 strikeouts. Josh Reddick it 2-10 with 4 whiffs. No other active Astro has more than 3 at bats against him.Corbin Martin was the Astros' second round pick just two years ago. He ascended through their system mixing strikeouts and groundballs. Since being promoted from AAA, he's made three starts, striking out just under a batter per innings but also walking 4.26 per nine innings. He's averaging a mid-90s fastball and mixes a changeup, a hard slider, and a curve. Last time out he lost to the White Sox, going only 3.1 innings and allowing three earned runs on six hits and a walk. No current Cubs have faced him, but I imagine all the Houston pitchers are on the lookout for Anthony Rizzo. He's raised his OPS more than .100 in the last 10 games, going 17-37 with five homeruns and 13 runs batted in and causing some property damage along the way. Almora may be in their notes as well, as he's homered 6 times in May. Both players went deep yesterday.
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