Game Seventy-Four: Cubs (48-25) vs. Marlins (40-35)
- Game Time – 12:10pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: ABC-7, MLB Network – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 89, 844
- Location – Marlins Park, Miami
Jason Hammel, RHP (7-3, 2.55/1.08/3.83) vs. Jose Fernandez, RHP (9-3, 2.36/0.99/2.05)
The Cubs turn to Jason Hammel in the finale of the four-game series with the Marlins.
It’s a new week for the Cubs and hopefully the ball starts bouncing their way again. The Cubs have struggled in just about every aspect of the game while dealing with one injury after another. Adversity is part of the game, but a little luck would not hurt especially today with Jose Fernandez on the hill.
The Cubs will not see Don Mattingly’s team again until the first of August (Aug. 1-3) when the Marlins make their annual trip to Wrigley. The Cubs have historically struggled against the Fish. Leaving Miami with a series split must be considered a success at this point.
Joe Maddon is expected to run out a left-handed heavy lineup this afternoon against Jose Fernandez. Miguel Montero, Ben Zobrist, Anthony Rizzo and Chris Coghlan should be in the starting nine behind Jason Hammel. Left-handers have a .646 OPS against Fernandez this season with a .223/.308/.338 slash line. Fernandez has dominated right-handers to the tune of a .171/.225/.247 line with a .472 OPS.
Today all starts with Jason Hammel …
Jason Hammel is coming off a rare poor outing and will look to get back on track today against the Marlins. Hammel gave up four runs in a single game for just the second time all season against the Cardinals. Hammel has exceeded expectations this season but struggled his last time out. The Cubs need for him to keep the ball down today. Hammel should benefit from having Montero behind the plate today.
Hammel is 1-2 in his last four starts with a 3.55 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. Hammel has allowed 10 runs, all earned, on 20 hits with three walks and 17 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings. Hammel has served up five longballs the last four times out.
Outside of Wrigley this season, Hammel is 4-2 in eight starts with a 2.39 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. And today is Hammel’s ninth career start against the Marlins.
Jason Hammel is 2-4 in 10 games, eight starts, against the Fish with a 4.09 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Last year, Hammel was 1-1 in two starts against the Marlins with a 1.98 ERA and 0.73 WHIP (three runs, nine hits, one walk, 16 strikeouts, 13 2/3 innings).
Marlins Career Numbers against Jason Hammel
- Ichiro Suzuki: 10-for-29 with two doubles and two walks
- Martin Prado: 7-for-19 with one double, one home run and one walk
- Giancarlo Stanton: 6-for-15 with one double and one home run
- Adeiny Hechavarria: 1-for-8
- Marcell Ozuna: 3-for-9 with one triple
- Christian Yelich: 3-for-9 with one double and one home run
- Justin Bour: 2-for-7 with one home run
- Jeff Mathis: 1-for-5 with one walk
- J.T. Realmuto: 0-for-5 with one walk
- Cole Gillespie: 1-for-5
- Chris Johnson: 3-for-5 with one double
- Miguel Rojas: 0-for-3
The Cubs have the pleasure of taking on Jose Fernandez for the first time. Fernandez has not started a game against the Cubs during his career, today will be the first. Fernandez took exception of the way Junior Lake acted last year at Marlins Park following a home run. Fernandez lost his cool. It will be interesting to see if there is anything left over from the spirited disagreement.
Fernandez is one of the best pitchers in baseball. Fernandez has tossed shutouts in three of his last four starts and his outing on June 5 against the Mets included 14 strikeouts.
Jose Fernandez is 1-1 in his last three starts with a 1.80 ERA and 0.60 WHIP. Over his last 20 innings, Fernandez has allowed a grand total of four runs on 10 hits with two walks and 29 strikeouts. And in his home park this season, Fernandez is 6-1 in eight starts with a 1.78 ERA and 0.87 WHIP.
The Cubs must take advantage of every scoring opportunity they may get while Jose Fernandez is on the hill.
Jason Heyward (2-for-7 with one double), Miguel Montero (0-for-3) and Ben Zobrist (1-for-3) are the only three players on Joe Maddon’s active roster that have faced Jose Fernandez in a regular season ballgame.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …