Game Twenty-Two: Cubs (7-14) vs. Marlins (5-17)
- Game Time – 6:10pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN TV – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 186/844
- Location – Marlins Park, Miami
Scott Feldman (0-3, 4.50/1.79) vs. Wade LeBlanc (0-3, 6.27/1.88)
After dropping the first four on the current 10-game trip, the Cubs have won two of the last three and will look to win games on back-to-back nights for the first time this season.
For the first time since 1950, 18 of the Cubs first 21 games have been decided by three runs or less. And it’s been more than 100 years (1908) since the last time the first 21 games of a Cubs season were decided by four runs or less.
Dale Sveum’s team has really struggled against southpaw starters (1-4) and must start receiving production from Dave Sappelt and Scott Hairston. Both outfielders have good career numbers against lefties and they were expected to fill the void in the offense that was created when Reed Johnson and Jeff Baker were traded last year.
While Carlos Marmol was on the hill in the ninth inning of Thursday’s game, Dale Sveum is not willing to name him the closer. Sveum still plans to play match-ups late in games.
Scott Feldman is still in search of his first victory since August 4 (13 starts). Feldman showed improvement in his last outing before giving the game to the Brewers. Will Feldman be able to put his struggles behind him and post a win tonight?
Scott Feldman has made three starts this season and has really struggled in each of his three outings. Feldman has not only pitched poorly but he has made several mistakes in each game that has cost him runs. Feldman not only needs to put together a good start tonight but he needs to keep his head in the game as well.
Feldman finally completed five innings in his last start. Feldman allowed four runs, one earned, on three hits with three walks and six strikeouts in five innings. Feldman finally struck out more hitters (6) than he walked (3). Feldman has walked (10) batters and struck out (10) in three starts (14 innings) this season.
Scott Feldman makes his first start against the Marlins’ organization tonight.
Marlins Career Numbers against Scott Feldman
- Greg Dobbs – 0-for-1 with a walk
- Austin Kearns – 0-for-1
- Juan Pierre – 3-for-12 with a walk
- Placido Polanco – 2-for-7 with a double and two walks
- Justin Ruggiano – 0-for-2
The former San Diego Padres’ southpaw is off to a rough start in his second year in Miami. After posting a 2-5 record in 25 games, nine starts, last season with a 3.67 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP, Wade LeBlanc has made just one good start in four tries this year. LeBlanc lasted just four innings in his last outing against the Reds after going only 3 2/3 innings against the Nationals.
The Reds touched up LeBlanc for two runs on seven hits in four innings with three walks and two strikeouts. For as bad as LeBlanc has been to this point, he’s been even worse in his two home starts this season. In 9 2/3 innings, LeBlanc has allowed nine runs on 15 hits with one home run, three walks and nine strikeouts (8.38 ERA and a 1.86 WHIP).
Wade LeBlanc has faced the Cubs twice in his career and is 1-0 in two games, one start, with a 2.08 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Wade LeBlanc
- Darwin Barney – 1-for-2
- Starlin Castro – 0-for-2
- Scott Hairston – 1-for-9 with a double
- Cody Ransom – 0-for-1
- Anthony Rizzo – 1-for-1
- Dave Sappelt – 0-for-3
- Nate Schierholtz – 2-for-6 with a walk
- Alfonso Soriano – 0-for-1
- Luis Valbuena – 0-for-1
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …