After a stretch of offensive utility, the Cubs' lineup has found its footing ahead of Chicago's Tuesday game against the visiting Oakland Athletics.
Following a 9-2 win in the series opener against Oakland on Monday, the Cubs have scored five or more runs in seven straight games, averaging seven runs per game over the stretch. Prior to the recent surge, Chicago was shut out in three of five games. The Cubs have won two straight following a three-game skid.
The Cubs (77-73) scored all nine of their runs on Monday in the first four innings. They tallied 18 hits -- their second-highest total in a game this season. Seiya Suzuki, Miguel Amaya and Isaac Paredes each tallied three hits, while Dansby Swanson's 15th homer of the year broke the game open as part of a five-run second inning.
Shota Imanaga threw six innings of two-run ball, winning his 15th game of the season and fifth in a row. The 31-year-old rookie signed a four-year, $53 million contract in January. For a club that sits five games out of the final National League wild-card spot, Imanaga has helped keep Chicago afloat down the stretch.
"There's a lot of superlatives you could use about how Shota's handled it," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said of Imanaga's rookie year. "I'm trying to think of something he hasn't handled well. ... I don't know if I can think of anything. He's passed every test and every kind of question we've tried to ask about him really, really well."
Looking to continue Chicago's pitching success on Tuesday will be Jordan Wicks (2-3, 5.27 ERA).
In his latest start, the 25-year-old left-hander lasted just three innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing a career-high seven runs on eight hits. Wicks emerged with a no-decision in the game, but the Cubs lost 10-8.
Making just his 10th start and 11th appearance in this season, Wicks will face Oakland for the first time in his young career.
The A's (65-86) enter play as losers of three straight and four of the past five. Starter Joey Estes was shelled in the series opener, allowing six runs on nine hits in one-plus inning.
Brent Rooker, a bright spot for the Athletics all season, launched his 38th home run of the year, his third in five games. He has a six-game RBI streak, having knocked in 10 runs in that span. Rooker leads the club in homers, RBIs (109), hits (152) and batting average (.302).
Aiming to help Oakland turn the corner in the final stretch of the season, Mitch Spence (7-9, 4.33 ERA) will start on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old right-hander is coming off one of the best outings of his rookie campaign, as he threw seven innings of two-run ball in a no-decision against the host Houston Astros on Thursday.
"We're in the middle of September, definitely starting to feel the wear and tear, but nothing out of the ordinary," Spence said.
Spence is set to face the Cubs for the first time in his career.
Oakland has dropped nine of its past 10 games against Chicago dating back to 2016.
