Game Sixty-Nine – Cubs (29-39) vs. Marlins (35-34)
- Game Time – 6:10pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN TV – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 184, 844
- Location – Marlins Park, Miami
Jeff Samardzija (2-6, 2.77/1.18/2.95) vs. Anthony DeSclafani (1-1, 5.56/1.32/4.32)
The Cubs will shoot for two in a row in Miami tonight behind Jeff Samardzija. Rick Renteria needs a long and effective outing from the number one pitcher on his staff. With the bullpen covering seven innings Monday night, Renteria will not have a full relief corps up and available. Carlos Villanueva pitched two scoreless innings, Brian Schlitter completed 1 1/3 innings and Hector Rondon made his first appearance in 10 days. All three of those relievers figure to be unavailable.
The Cubs were expecting to see Jacob Turner tonight. But Mike Redmond changed his rotation prior to Monday’s opener. Turner was moved to the bullpen, and took the loss in extras, and Anthony DeSclafani was brought up from Triple-A. DeSclafani makes the third start of his big league career tonight.
Starlin Castro has quietly put together a good month. Castro is 19-for-60 in his last 15 games with six doubles and three home runs (.317/.359/.567/.926). Castro has been taking advantage of teams pitching around Anthony Rizzo. The Cubs first baseman is batting .302/.413/.604 over his last 15 games with four doubles, four home runs and a 1.016 OPS.
Tonight all starts with Jeff Samardzija …
Jeff Samardzija is coming off his second rough start in three outings. Samardzija gave up four runs on a season-high nine hits to the Pirates in six-plus innings. Samardzija issued two free passes and struck out seven batters. Samardzija stopped pitching in his last game and started throwing again. Samardzija is 1-2 in his last three starts with a 7.88 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP.
Jeff Samardzija is 1-3 in seven road starts this season with a 4.10 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. And Samardzija put together a good game against the Fish at Wrigley back on June 7.
Jeff Samardzija beat the Marlins after allowing two runs on five hits with one walk and eight strikeouts in seven innings. Samardzija is 3-1 in 14 career appearances, five starts, against the Marlins with a 4.93 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. Samardzija’s only career appearance at Marlins Park was not a good one. Samardzija allowed five runs in eight innings with five walks and three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings on April 19, 2012.
Marlins Career Numbers against Jeff Samardzija
The Cubs will get their first look at rookie right hander Anthony DeSclafani. The Marlins recalled DeSclafani from Triple-A New Orleans prior to Monday’s game. DeSclafani was 1-1 in four starts at the Triple-A level with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. In 21 1/3 innings, he allowed eight runs on 16 hits with seven walks and 21 strikeouts. In two stops in the Marlins system this year, DeSclafani is 4-5 in 12 starts with a 3.92 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP (61 hits, 17 walks, 59 strikeouts, 64 1/3 innings).
Anthony DeSclafani last pitched in the majors on May 20. DeSclafani allowed five runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings to the Phillies with one walk and two strikeouts.
The Marlins fifth best prospect in Baseball America’s pre-season ranking throws a plus-fastball with late life that sits in the 90-93 mph range and can run it up to 95-96 mph. DeSclafani throws an above-average slider and pounds the bottom of the strike zone. DeSclafani throws strikes and is very aggressive on the mound.
Anthony DeSclafani makes his third big league start tonight. And no one on the Cubs active roster has faced DeSclafani in a big league regular season game.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …