Chicago Cubs: Three key factors in series with Detroit Tigers
By Ryan Sikes
2. Corner infielders will be the X-Factors
Kris Bryant is good. Perhaps you’ve heard. But he also left Wednesday’s game after being hit on the wrist in a pinch-hit scenario. The Chicago Cubs third baseman has put up numbers rivaling his first two seasons in which he won the NL Rookie of the Year and NL MVP Awards. Of course, if Bryant misses extended time, he will not be a factor in this particular series, but assuming he’s good to go, he’s the Cubs’ biggest X-factor.
The 29-year-old is third in the league with a 1.050 OPS, first in extra-base hits (23), and tied for third with nine home runs.
No but my guess is no. If he does won’t be 100 percent
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) May 14, 2021
In the other dugout, former Cubs prospect Jeimer Candelario has carved out a career for himself in a rebuilding Detroit franchise. While not as robust, the 27-year-old third baseman leads the Tigers with a .763 OPS for players with at least 80 at-bats. He has three home runs and 13 RBI’s and is batting a healthy .290 on the season.
Over the last 14 days, Candelario has a .350/.442/.525 slash line with two homers and six RBI’s. The second month of the season has undoubtedly been kinder than the first, and look for him to make an impact in this series.