Game One Hundred Six: Cubs (64-41) vs. Marlins (57-49)
- Game Time – 7:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet Plus– Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 187, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Jason Hammel, RHP (10-5, 3.23/1.10/4.33) vs. Jose Fernandez, RHP (12-5, 2.79/1.05/2.22)
The Cubs started August with a win over the Marlins and will look to make it two in a row over the Fish tonight behind Jason Hammel.
It is imperative Hammel continues to pitch the way he has with Jose Fernandez on the hill. The offense has the tough task of facing Fernandez. And with him coming off a bad outing, Fernandez could be unhittable tonight.
The Cubs must capitalize on every scoring opportunity they get. If the offense struggles early it could be another frustrating game watching Fernandez on the mound.
Kris Bryant is getting the night off. Joe Maddon said Bryant could use a breather to recharge his batteries a little. Javier Baez will be at third base. Ben Zobrist is expected back in the starting lineup and Chris Coghlan should be in left field. Willson Contreras is catching Jason Hammel.
Maddon will have a new reliever in the pen tonight.
The Cubs are expected to activate Joe Smith and option Spencer Patton back to Iowa on Tuesday afternoon.
With a fully rested bullpen, a strong six innings from Hammel, a couple of runs off Fernandez and Maddon will be able to put his relievers in position over the final three innings to nail down a win.
Tonight all starts with Jason Hammel …
Jason Hammel finished July with three strong starts and the Cubs were 3-0 in those games. Hammel limited the Sox to one run on five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in seven innings last Wednesday. Hammel built off the games against the Rangers and Brewers and put together his best outing in six weeks.
Hammel is 3-1 in his last five starts with a 5.33 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. But in his last three, Hammel is 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA and 0.94 WHIP.
At Wrigley this season, Hammel is 5-1 in nine starts with a 2.50 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. Hammel has allowed 15 runs, 14 earned, on 35 hits with 18 walks and 46 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings.
Jason Hammel gets another shot at the Fish tonight. Hammel took the loss in Miami back on June 26. The Cubs lost 6-1 to Fernandez and the Marlins. Hammel allowed two runs on four hits with two walks and three strikeouts in six innings.
For his career, Jason Hammel is 2-5 in 11 games, nine starts, against the Marlins with a 3.97 ERA and 1.27 WHIP.
Marlins Career Numbers against Jason Hammel
- Ichiro Suzuki: 10-for-32 with two doubles and two walks
- Martin Prado: 7-for-22 with one double, one home run and one walk
- Giancarlo Stanton: 7-for-18 with two doubles and one home run
- Adeiny Hechavarria: 1-for-11
- Christian Yelich: 4-for-12 with one double and one home run
- Dee Gordon: 0-for-9
- Jeff Mathis: 1-for-8 with one walk
- Marcell Ozuna: 3-for-9 with one triple
- J.T. Realmuto: 0-for-5 with one walk
- Chris Johnson: 3-for-5 with one double
- Derek Dietrich: 1-for-3 with one double
- Miguel Rojas: 0-for-3
- Jose Fernandez: 1-for-2 with one double
The Cubs have the pleasure of facing Jose Fernandez tonight. Fernandez is one of the best pitchers in the game. And Fernandez has a wonderful way of making sure everyone knows it.
Fernandez shut the Cubs down in Miami on June 26. It would be really nice to see the Cubs get a lot of payback tonight.
The Cardinals beat up Fernandez at Marlins Park his last time out. Unfortunately the Redbirds also won the game. Fernandez allowed five runs on six hits with two walks and nine strikeouts in five innings.
Fernandez is 2-2 in his last five starts with a 4.35 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. And on the road this season, Fernandez is 3-3 in eight starts with a 3.86 ERA and 1.18 WHIP.
Jose Fernandez makes his second career start against the Cubs tonight. And will be on the mound at Wrigley for the first time in his career.
Cubs Career Numbers against Jose Fernandez
- Jason Heyward: 4-for-10 with one double
- Dexter Fowler: 0-for-5 with one walk
- Miguel Montero: 0-for-6
- Ben Zobrist: 1-for-5 with one walk
- Kris Bryant: 0-for-2
- Chris Coghlan: 0-for-2 with one walk
- Willson Contreras: 0-for-2 with one walk
- Anthony Rizzo: 1-for-3
- Addison Russell: 0-for-3
- Matt Szczur: 0-for-1
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …