Athletics @ Cubs

Who will WIN this matchup?

Oakland Athletics (64-48)

@ Chicago Cubs (60-51)

Starting Pitchers:

Anderson (OAK): 9-7; 4.04 ERA

Lester (CHC) 9-7; 3.86 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Oakland Athletics: 6-4

Chicago Cubs: 6-4

Current odds:

Oakland Athletics: (+144)

Chicago Cubs: (-154)

• The Chicago Cubs attempt to remain unbeaten on their six-game homestand when they host the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game interleague series. National League Central-leading Chicago followed a three-game sweep of Milwaukee by holding on for a 6-5 triumph in Monday’s series opener. Javier Baez hit two of his team’s four home runs while Nicholas Castellanos went 3-for-4 with a blast and two RBIs for the Cubs, who have scored a total of 23 runs during their four-game winning streak. Baez is riding a four-game hitting streak during which he has gone 8-for-17 with three homers, seven RBIs and six runs.

• Oakland had its three-game winning streak halted despite scoring three times in the eighth inning to trim its deficit to one and putting the potential tying run on second base in the ninth. Marcus Semien made the final out of Monday’s contest after belting a pair of homers for his third consecutive two-hit performance for the Athletics, who remained one-half game behind Tampa Bay for the second wild-card spot in the American League.

• Anderson looks to snap his four-start winless streak and reach double digits in victories for the third time in his career – and first since recording 10 in 2015 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 31-year-old Texan is coming off a loss to Milwaukee on Wednesday in which he permitted three runs and eight hits over seven innings. Anderson has made two career starts against Chicago, allowing two runs and 12 hits while registering 11 strikeouts over 10 frames en route to a pair of no-decisions.

• Lester has gone 5-0 over his last six starts at home, where he has registered 63 strikeouts and issued only seven walks over 61 innings while posting a 6-2 record and 2.95 ERA in 11 outings this season. The 35-year-old Washingtonian did not give out a free pass at St. Louis on Thursday but suffered a loss after yielding five runs and nine hits over five frames. Lester, who went 6-4 in 11 turns with Oakland in 2014, owns an identical record and a 3.56 ERA in 15 career starts versus his former team.

• Cubs C Willson Contreras was diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain of his right hamstring after undergoing an MRI on Monday and is expected to be sidelined for four weeks.

• Oakland said farewell to RHP Ryan Dull, who yielded 13 runs (12 earned) over nine innings in seven relief appearances with the team before being claimed off waivers by San Francisco on Monday.

• Chicago placed Craig Kimbrel (knee) on the 10-day injured list and recalled fellow RHP Duane Underwood Jr. from Triple-A Iowa.