Game One Hundred Twenty-Five: Cubs (63-61) vs. Nationals (45-82)
Game Time – 1:20pm C.T.
Coverage – TV: WGN TV – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 186
Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Randy Wells (9-6, 2.84/1.20) vs. J.D. Martin (2-3, 4.76/1.44)
Weather permitting … It could be a very, long day full of a bunch of delays due to the weather. The Cubs and Nationals square off today for the final time this season. The Cubs have won five of the first six meetings but need to win the rubber game of the series this afternoon.
Alfonso Soriano’s knee coupled with the bad weather should give Lou Piniella a chance to put Sam Fuld in left field this afternoon. Look for Geovany Soto back behind the plate and possibly Jake Fox at third … giving Aramis Ramirez the day off following a night game.
Today it all begins with Randy Wells … and one win at a time. Randy Wells is coming off another tough loss despite posting his eighth quality start since July 1. Wells gave up just two runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings to the Dodgers last Friday night. Wells has been one of the positives for the Chicago Cubs this season and will be looking for his team-leading tenth win of the year … Wells and Ted Lilly are tied for the team lead in wins on the season with nine.
This afternoon will be Wells’ tenth start of the year at the Friendly Confines. He is 5-3 in the first nine with a 3.04 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP.
Wells beat the Nationals on July 18 in his first start of the second half. Wells gave up four runs on seven hits in five innings with three walks and four strikeouts. The offense bailed out Wells that evening.
In his last four starts, Wells is 2-2 with a 2.84 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.
- Adam Dunn – 1-for-2 with a double and a walk
- Alberto Gonzalez – 0-for-2
- Willie Harris – 0-for-2
- Nyjer Morgan – 2-for-3 with a double
- Wil Nieves – 1-for-2
- Josh Willingham – 0-for-2
- Ryan Zimmerman – 0-for-2
The Cubs will get their first look at J.D. Martin this afternoon. Martin made his big league debut on July 20 against the Mets and picked up his first win three starts ago against the Diamondbacks. Martin shutdown the Diamondbacks and Reds in back-to-back outings and allowed a total of one earned run on 11 hits in 11 innings … he is coming off a loss to the Brewers. Martin pitched a career-high 6 2/3 innings, allowed four runs on eight hits without a walk and four strikeouts.
The 26-year old right-hander is 2-1 in his last four starts with a 3.27 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP … on the road this season, 1-1 in two starts with a 3.75 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.
No one on the Cubs’ active roster has faced J.D. Martin.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball….