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Game 72: Cubs at Tigers

Ted Lilly (7-4, 3.04) vs. Armando Galarraga (3-7, 5.62), 1:05 p.m. EST

Can the Tigers push their winning streak to seven games, and their record to 10 games over .500, by finishing off an undefeated homestand before hitting the road? It's probably not going to be easy, with today's pitching match-up.

Armando Galarraga has now gone 10 straight starts without earning a win. He's pitched a total of six innings in his last two appearances, allowing eight runs. And he'll probably have to go at least six today, with the Tigers using six relievers (three of whom pitched on consecutive nights) in last night's win. But in the first two games of this series, the Cubs have squandered several scoring opportunities. Could they finally break through against Galarraga?

Ted Lilly might also make it difficult for the Tigers to provide any run support. While he's only earned a win in two of his last five outings, he's held the opposition to two runs or fewer in four of those games. Lilly is 3-3 with a 4.40 ERA in seven road starts this season, but allowed only one earned run in his most recent appearances at Houston and at Atlanta. In 690 appearances against left-handed pitching this season, the Tigers are batting .268/.346/.444 with 22 homers and 83 RBIs.

Placido Polanco and Gerald Laird get the afternoon off, with Ramon Santiago and Dusty Ryan filling in at second base and catcher, respectively. And Ryan Raburn gets the start in left field, against the left-handed Lilly.