Jameson Taillon, Cubs shoot to level series with Tigers

Jameson Taillon doesn't rack up large strikeout totals, but the veteran Chicago Cubs right-hander consistently delivers strong starts.

Taillon will seek his fourth consecutive victory in the middle game of a three-game road series against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday afternoon.

Taillon (5-3, 3.76 ERA) has recorded a quality outing in six of his past seven starts and has allowed just four runs total over his past three outings. On Sunday, he held the Cincinnati Reds to two runs and three hits in 6 1/3 innings in a 7-3 victory.

He only struck out two, the sixth time this season he fanned four or fewer batters. Yet it was also the eighth time this season he permitted four hits or fewer.

"His biggest strength is that he is an elite strike-thrower," manager Craig Counsell said. "He is always among the league leaders in walk rates."

Taillon has made four career starts against Detroit, posting a 1-2 record and 7.45 ERA.

Keider Montero likely will be the bulk reliever for the Tigers on Saturday after Tyler Holton (2-2, 4.13 ERA) serves as an opener. Early in the season, Montero (2-1, 4.02) was used as the spot starter in doubleheaders or as a sixth member of the starting staff to stretch the rotation.

He is currently the No. 4 man in the rotation, due to injuries to Reese Olson and Jackson Jobe. Over his past two starts, Montero did not allow a run in a stretch of 9 2/3 innings.

However, his latest outing was an adventure. He gave up seven hits and a walk in 4 2/3 innings at Kansas City on Sunday but made key pitches with runners on base.

"I was proud of what we did (Sunday)," Montero said through interpreter Carlos Guillen.

His latest home outing on May 26 was much cleaner, as he limited the San Francisco Giants to one hit in five innings. Montero has not faced the Cubs during his two major league seasons.

Holton owns a 1-0 record in three career games (one start) against the Cubs, having thrown a total of four scoreless, hitless innings.

The Tigers won a thriller in the series opener on Friday night. Reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal pitched 7 2/3 innings despite allowing eight hits in a 3-1 victory.

After Will Vest replaced Skubal in the eighth, Detroit's Kerry Carpenter, not known for his defense, robbed Seiya Suzuki of a go-ahead extra-base hit with a leaping grab at the right field fence.

In the bottom of the inning, Jahmai Jones gave Detroit an insurance run with a solo homer. Jones was called up from Triple-A Toledo earlier in the day, and he was making his Tigers debut and his first major league appearance of the year.

"He can really hit and he makes good decisions," Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. "He comes with some thump, there's a lot of athleticism, some speed, and he fits the exact role that we're gonna play him in. And he can help us off the bench and probably get an occasional start."

The Cubs are facing the team with the AL's best record, but Counsell doesn't want to overemphasize it.

"It's a series in June," he said. "There are going to be a lot of people here this weekend. That's fun for our players. They love that. It's a challenge against a good team. We love that. But other than that, it's three games."