Game Fifty-Nine – Cubs (24-34) vs. Marlins (32-29)
- Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN TV – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 183, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Jeff Samardzija (1-5, 2.54/1.15/3.02) vs. Randy Wolf (1-1, 3.38/1.13/1.76)
The Cubs will shoot to make in five wins in a row this afternoon behind Jeff Samardzija. Rick Renteria could use a long, quality start from Samardzija today while the Cubs’ number one starter could use a good outing to quiet some of his critics.
Jeff Samardzija is coming off a bad outing and since his clunker in Milwaukee the question has been is Samardzija going on another June swoon? Over the course of Samardzija’s career, June is by far his worst month of the season. Samardzija is 4-9 in 26 games, 12 starts, in June with a 6.59 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP. Plus, Rick Renteria figures to have a short bullpen today. Brian Schlitter and Carlos Villanueva should not be available after each pitcher threw two innings on Friday. And Hector Rondon might not be available either after the long ninth inning.
The Cubs will face an old foe in Randy Wolf for the first time in a couple of seasons. Wolf took Jose Fernandez’s spot in the rotation when Miami’s ace had season-ending Tommy John surgery. Wolf knows how to pitch and he knows how to beat the Cubs. Renteria should fill his lineup with as many right handers as possible, with the exception of Anthony Rizzo. Right handers are hitting .250/.278/.389 against Wolf this year while lefties have managed an .182/.250/.167 slash line.
The Cubs staff had a good game plan in place for Friday and struck out 17 batters while issuing only one free pass in 13 innings. Will Samardzija follow Hammel’s example?
This afternoon all starts with Jeff Samardzija …
Jeff Samardzija is coming off one of the worst starts of his big league career. The Brewers torched Samardzija for three innings like they knew what he was getting ready to throw. Samardzija allowed eight runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts … and only two of those runs came via a home run.
Jeff Samardzija is 0-3 in six starts at Wrigley Field this season with a 1.49 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. Samardzija faces the Marlins for the 14th time in his career today.
Today will be Samardzija’s fifth start against Miami. Jeff Samardzija is 2-1 in 13 games, four starts, with a 5.46 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP. Samardzija faced the Fish one time a year ago and gave up six runs on nine hits with two walks and nine strikeouts in six innings. Logan Morrison went deep early and Adeiny Hechavarria hit a grand slam off Samardzija in the sixth inning.
Marlins Career Numbers against Jeff Samardzija
Randy Wolf found the fountain of youth in his second Tommy John surgery that cost him his 2013 season. Wolf spent the spring with the Mariners, opted out of his contract and signed a minor league contract with the Marlins. Wolf is making his third start today and is coming off a solid start against the Rays. Wolf allowed one run on three hits in six innings with one walk and seven strikeouts.
Randy Wolf has had a ton of success against the Cubs over the course of his 17 seasons in the big leagues. Wolf is 6-11 in 25 starts against the Cubs with a 3.87 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP … and at Wrigley Field, 3-5 in 11 starts with a 4.02 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Wolf last faced the Cubs in the 2011 season. Wolf was 1-2 in four starts versus the Cubs in 2011 with a 3.16 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Randy Wolf
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …