Detroit has reason to be optimistic, as the Tigers' youth development appears to be heading in the right direction. The Tigers will likely have several rookies in the lineup Thursday when they host the Chicago Cubs in the final game of a three-game series. Riley Green, Kelly Carpenter and rookie Trey Sweeney all homered in Detroit's 8-2 win on Wednesday. Sweeney's two-run homer just cleared the center field fence, his first career home run. Detroit has won seven of its last nine games, with young players including outfielder Parker Meadows, catcher Dillon Dingler, third baseman Jace Jung and Sweeney all playing key roles. Sweeney, 24, has made three starts at shortstop since being recalled from Triple-A Toledo last week to make 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 been very reliable and consistent,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said. “One of the things Joey Cora (infield coach) will be working on with him is some tweaks, but he really does make all the plays. He's played a lot of strength on the right side, played a lot of athleticism on the left side. There's a lot to like about what he brings defensively.” Chicago is trying to bounce back after another disappointing slump. The Cubs have won two of their past four games but have scored just eight runs total in that stretch. Christian Bethancourt led Chicago's offense Wednesday with a two-run homer in the fifth inning. The Cubs couldn't score any more runs despite having runners in scoring position in the sixth and seventh innings. “The next hit is what counts,” Chicago manager Craig Counsell said. “That's what's going to determine the score.” The Tigers sealed Wednesday's win with four runs in the ninth against Jack Neely, who was making his major league debut. Chicago left-hander Justin Steele (3-5, 3.10 ERA) is scheduled to pitch in the series finale. He should be well rested after pitching just two scoreless innings against the Toronto Blue Jays last Saturday. The 29-year-old Steele was replaced after two rain interruptions that lasted a total of 55 minutes. “Tomorrow's game is the one that's most impacted, but we're also taking Justin's health into consideration,” Counsell said after the game. “We thought it was not good for this season, not just the rest of the season, to have him pitch after two interruptions.” Steele is scheduled to make his first start against Detroit. He made his first relief appearance against the Tigers on May 15, 2021, pitching one and a third scoreless inning. Detroit is expected to start right-hander Kenta Maeda (2-5, 6.18 ERA), who has made a seamless transition to the bullpen since being removed from the Tigers' starting rotation. The 36-year-old Maeda has pitched 24 2/3 innings with a 3.28 ERA in six relief appearances. He pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen against the Seattle Mariners on Aug. 15. “Kenta came right out and attacked,” manager Hinch said. “Aside from hitting him with a couple of pitches with his first pitch, he had a really good game.” Isaac Paredes was one hit in one at-bat with four strikeouts against Maeda, who is 1-1 with a 5.52 ERA in three starts against Chicago. –Field Level Media
