CHICAGO (Interstat) — The Chicago Cubs host the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday at Wrigley Field, looking to build on a 1-0 win in the series opener. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The Cubs (32-28) send right-hander Colin Rea (5-3) to the mound. Rea has been a steady presence in Chicago’s rotation, with a record that includes wins in two of his last three decisions. Oakland (28-31) counters with left-hander Jeffrey Springs (3-6). Springs has struggled to find consistency, and the Athletics will need a strong outing from him to slow a Cubs lineup that has shown flashes of production. The Athletics enter on a downturn, having lost four of their last five games, including a 13-8 defeat to the New York Yankees on Sunday. Oakland managed just five hits in Tuesday’s 1-0 loss to the Cubs. Catcher Jonah Heim is a player to watch for Oakland. Heim went 1 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs in Sunday’s loss to the Yankees, but he has struggled overall this season. Over his last 10 games, Heim is hitting .154 (4 for 26) with two home runs and three RBIs. His production could be key for an Athletics lineup that has averaged just 3.2 runs over its last six games. For the Cubs, reliever Trent Thornton has been effective out of the bullpen. Thornton has not allowed an earned run in three of his last four appearances, including two scoreless innings against St. Louis on Sunday. In his last 10 outings, Thornton has a 2.08 ERA over 13 innings, with 10 strikeouts and just six hits allowed. His ability to keep the game close in the middle innings could be critical. Chicago dropped its series finale Sunday, losing 5-1 at St. Louis, but had taken three of four from the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to that. The Cubs have won four of their last six games at Wrigley Field. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-3 Cubs victory. Oakland is installed as a -1.5 favorite on the spread, with the over/under set at 9.