Game Sixty – Cubs (25-34) vs. Marlins (32-30)
- Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 185, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Jake Arrieta (1-1, 3.00/1.60/2.94) vs. Henderson Alvarez (3-3, 2.62/1.28/3.28)
The Cubs will shoot for their sixth win in a row this afternoon behind Jake Arrieta to close out the homestand. The Cubs have played good ball over the last five games and it will be up to Arrieta to throw strikes and keep the Marlins off the board while the offense tries to figure out Henderson Alvarez.
The Cubs will honor the 1942 team this afternoon with the third of nine Throwback Sundays. The ’42 Cubs were a second division team with a 66-86 record, sixth in the National League. The Marlins will honor the Miami Sun Sox teams from the 1940s and 1950s.
Rick Renteria should have all of his relievers up for today’s game that will give him options if Arrieta struggles early. Hector Rondon, Brian Schlitter and Carlos Villanueva were not available Saturday but should be okay to go today. Jeff Samardzija stepped up with a seven inning outing Saturday that shortened the game for a worn out bullpen.
Rick Renteria should run out a balanced lineup this afternoon. Right handers (.299/.348/.353) have had a lot more success against Henderson Alvarez this season than lefties (.264/.297/.347).
Today all starts with Jake Arrieta …
Jake Arrieta is coming off a rough outing against the Mets. Arrieta wiggled his way out of a lot of trouble and allowed only one run. Arrieta walked three and gave up seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. The Mets had multiple runners on base in each inning, but the Mets could not come up with a hit when they needed it. Arrieta dealt with command issues again. And when he was ahead in the count, he could not put the batter away. He has to learn how to pound the strike zone, his short outings are not good for him or the young arms in the Cubs’ pen.
’42 Cubs Jersey
Jake Arrieta makes his third start of the season at Wrigley this afternoon. Arrieta has two no-decisions at home this year with a 0.90 ERA and a very high 1.60 WHIP (one run on 11 hits with five walks, nine strikeouts, 10 innings).
Jake Arrieta makes the first start of his career against the Fish today.
Garrett Jones (2-for-8 with a home run and two walks), Casey McGehee (2-for-3 with a double) and Jeff Mathis (0-for-2) are the only three players on the Marlins active roster that has faced Arrieta in a big league ballgame.
Henderson Alvarez is coming off a complete-game shutout against the Rays. Alvarez scattered eight hits, did not walk a batter and struck out five. Alvarez has been lights out over his last three starts. Alvarez has not allowed a run, of any kind, since May 16, and has not issued a walk over his last two starts … 21 innings. The Cubs’ offense will have to make Alvarez work today, early swings will play into his strength.
Miami Sun Sox Jersey
Henderson Alvarez is 0-2 in six road starts this season with a 4.13 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP and is a much different pitcher in his home park (3-1 in six starts with a 1.47 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP).
The Cubs will get their second look at Alvarez today. Alvarez beat the Cubs the only time he faced them after allowing three runs on seven hits with one walk and three strikeouts in six innings. Alvarez beat Travis Wood last Sept. 2 and the difference was … a three-run homer by Henderson Alvarez.
Cubs Career Numbers against Henderson Alvarez
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …