Game Sixty-Eight – Cubs (28-39) vs. Marlins (35-33)
- Game Time – 6:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 184, 844
- Location – Marlins Park, Miami
Jason Hammel (6-4, 2.81/0.98/3.03) vs. Tom Koehler (5-5, 3.68/1.28/4.55)
The Cubs begin the final stretch of the 10-game road trip tonight with the first of three in Miami. After dropping three of four in Pittsburgh and winning two of three in Philadelphia, the Cubs are 3-4 over the first seven games.
The Cubs took two of three against the Marlins 10 days ago at Wrigley Field. But the Marlins are a much better team in their home park. The Cubs (13-25) have won more games on the road this season than the Marlins (12-20) have, while the Marlins are tied with the Giants for the most wins at home in the National League. The Fish are 10 games over the breakeven point (23-13) at home, even with losing two of three to the Pirates over the weekend.
After tonight’s match-up of Jason Hammel and Tom Koehler, Jeff Samardzija is scheduled to face Anthony DeSclafani in game two Tuesday night. Jake Arrieta and Nathan Eovaldi will square off in the finale Wednesday morning.
Pat Hughes has the next three days off. The Voice of the Cubs will rejoin the team Friday for the opener of the three-game series with the Pirates. Hughes said nothing was wrong, the time-off was scheduled. Judd Sirott and Ron Coomer will call the three games from Miami on 720 WGN.
Tonight all starts with Jason Hammel …
Jason Hammel’s streak of scoreless innings and outings came to a screeching halt in his last start in Pittsburgh. Jason Hammel was hit rather had in his shortest game of the season. Hammel gave up only four runs on a season-high 11 hits. Hammel issued two walks, the first two free passes that were not of the intentional variety since May 25 in San Diego.
For has good as Hammel has been this year, like the rest of the roster he has not been as good on the road. Hammel is 3-4 in eight starts outside of Wrigley with a 3.20 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Hammel will face a huge challenge tonight in Marlins Park. Hammel shut the Fish down two starts ago at Wrigley for seven innings. The results have a chance to be a lot different today.
Jason Hammel is 1-3 in seven career games, five starts, against the Marlins with a 4.65 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. Hammel makes his first start at Marlins Park tonight.
Marlins Career Numbers against Jason Hammel
Tom Koehler is one of the many good, young arms on the Marlins staff. Koehler is coming off a rough outing against the Rangers in Texas. Koehler allowed five runs on five hits with three walks and seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Koehler is 1-0 in his last two starts with a 6.97 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP after posting a 2-3 record in his previous six starts with a 3.35 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.
Tom Koehler is 3-2 in six home starts with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Koehler faces the Cubs for the third time in his career tonight. Koehler has one no-decision in two career appearances, one start, with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP (two runs on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings).
Cubs Career Numbers against Tom Koehler
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …