The Cubs are in Miami today for their first visit to the new Marlins ballpark, their first time facing Carlos Zambrano’s new team (but not Carlos Zambrano), and their first time facing Ozzie Guillen as a National League manager. That last part will be the storyline today, no matter what happens. Not because Ozzie is facing the Cubs, mind you, but because he’s returning to the dugout after a five-game suspension for saying that he “loves” Fidel Castro, the tormentor of Cubans (a huge relocated/second/third-generation community of which resides in Miami).
Steve Clevenger gets the start behind the plate, but Dale Sveum is still doing the whole batting-lefties-back-to-back thing. This time, he’s got all of Clevenger, Ian Stewart, and Bryan LaHair batting in order, with Darwin Barney, Starlin Castro and Alfonso Soriano batting in order. All deference due to Sveum, but that’s just stupid. It really is. Especially with a righty pitcher on the mound who typically can’t go too deep into the game. If I’m an opposing manager, I’m smiling when I see that lineup. Well, if there aren’t a bunch of Cuban protestors screaming in my face, that is.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (3-7) at Miami Marlins (4-6), 6:10pm CT on CSN.
Game Thread and Series Preview
The Game Thread lives here. You should participate in the madness. And, of course, for those who aren’t into message board-style game threads, please feel free to use the comments on this post for your in-game commentary/outbursts.
The Series Preview for this series lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Ryan Dempster (0-1, 1.88 ERA, 9.4 K/9)
versus
Josh Johnson (0-2, 8.38 ERA, 19.6 H/9)
Miami Marlins Lineup
1. Jose Reyes, SS
2. Emilio Bonafacio, CF
3. Hanley Ramirez, 3B
4. Logan Morrison, LF
5. Omar Infante, 2B
6. Giancarlo Stanton, RF
7. Gaby Sanchez, 1B
8. John Buck, C
9. Josh Johnson, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. David DeJesus, RF
2. Darwin Barney, 2B
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Ian Stewart, 3B
6. Steve Clevenger, C
7. Bryan LaHair, 1B
8. Marlon Byrd, CF
9. Ryan Dempster, P