Game One Hundred Five: Cubs (63-41) vs. Marlins (57-48)
- Game Time – 7:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN-TV – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 184, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Kyle Hendricks, RHP (9-7, 2.39/1.05/3.35) vs. Adam Conley, LHP (7-5, 3.38/1.30/3.79)
The Cubs kick off a three-game series tonight against the Marlins that concludes on Wednesday with the last of the eight-game homestand.
The Cubs pulled one out Sunday and won a game most gave up on in the third inning. To the Cubs credit, the players and Joe Maddon never stopped playing the game. And in the end, Jon Lester dropped down a pinch-hit squeeze but that gave Jason Heyward a chance to score the winning run.
The Cubs will have a new reliever in the bullpen tonight. With the Cubs releasing Brian Matusz, a reliever should be called up to take his spot on the active roster. The Cubs will likely recall RHP Spencer Patton or activate RHP Trevor Cahill from the 15-day DL.
The Cubs bullpen is spent after Sunday’s 12-inning marathon with the relievers covering nine innings. Carl Edwards Jr., Aroldis Chapman and Hector Rondon should be unavailable tonight.
The Cubs and Marlins could meet later in the year in some series in October. The Cubs enter play tonight 7 ½ games ahead of the Cardinals in the NL Central and 10 ½ games in front of the Pirates. The Marlins are only four games behind the Nationals in the NL East, and in second place ahead of the Mets by 2 ½ games. The Marlins currently hold the second Wild Card spot in the NL and would face the Dodgers in the NL Wild Card Game. Think the media would have fun with that one?
The Cubs struggled against the Marlins at the end of June in Miami and dropped three of the four games while being outscored 23-14. Dee Gordon is back from his PED suspension. The Cubs will have to slow him down on the bases. And the Cubs will have to deal with Jose Fernandez again.
After tonight’s matchup of Kyle Hendricks and Adam Conley, Jason Hammel has the pleasure of facing Jose Fernandez again on Tuesday night (7:05pm CDT). John Lackey is scheduled to face right-hander Tom Koehler in the series finale on Wednesday afternoon (1:20pm CDT).
There could be history made at Wrigley Field this week. Ichiro Suzuki is two hits shy of 3,000 for his MLB career. If Ichiro reaches the milestone over the next three days he will join Stan Musial as the only two players to record the 3,000th hit of his Major League career at Wrigley Field.
Tonight all starts with Kyle Hendricks …
Kyle Hendricks received an extra day of rest with Brian Matusz taking his scheduled day against the Mariners. Hendricks had a decent outing against the White Sox his last time out. Hendricks gave up three runs on six hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. Hendricks completed 5 2/3 innings in a game the Cubs lost on the South Side 3-0.
Hendricks is 3-1 in his last five games, four starts, with a 1.07 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. Hendricks allowed four runs, three earned, on 20 hits with seven walks and 20 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings. Hendricks gets a second shot at the Marlins tonight. And this one is at Wrigley where he has been really good this season.
Kyle Hendricks is 7-1 in 11 games, 10 starts, at home this year with a 1.36 ERA and 0.86 WHIP.
Hendricks had a weird game in Miami when he faced the Fish on June 24. Hendricks allowed four unearned runs on one hit and four walks in five innings. Hendricks served up a slam to Justin Bour in the first inning that tied the game at four. The Cubs eventually won it 5-4.
Kyle Hendricks is 1-1 in three career starts against the Marlins with a 1.96 ERA and 1.09 WHIP.
Marlins Career Numbers against Kyle Hendricks
- Dee Gordon: 2-for-9
- Marcell Ozuna: 2-for-7 with one double and two walks
- Christian Yelich: 1-for-7 with two walks
- Adeiny Hechavarria: 2-for-8 with one double
- Derek Dietrich: 1-for-5
- Martin Prado: 1-for-5 with one walk
- J.T. Realmuto: 1-for-5
- Giancarlo Stanton: 0-for-3 with two walks
- Jeff Mathis: 1-for-3
- Miguel Rojas: 0-for-1
The Cubs get their first look at lefty Adam Conley. And unfortunately for the offense, Conley is really, really good at throwing the baseball.
Conley completed 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball his last time out. Conley allowed eight hits to the Phillies and walked three while striking out six.
Conley is 3-0 in his last five starts with a 1.82 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Conley has given up seven runs, six earned, on 25 hits with nine walks and 27 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings.
On the road this season, Conley is 3-2 in 11 starts with a 3.88 ERA and 1.36 WHIP.
No one on Joe Maddon’s active roster has faced Adam Conley in a regular season big league ballgame. The Cubs will have a very difficult time tonight and must take advantage of every scoring opportunity they have.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …