The Chicago Cubs have had a rough start to the year – this is not news to you. So far, though, they’ve managed to avoid the sweep in all of their series (quite an accomplishment, eh?). Here’s hoping they can keep it up today when they close out their stop at the circus in Miami. It’s an early game today, so maybe you can zone out at work and follow online.
Jeff Samardzija gets start number three today, and a chance to veer in one of two directions: is he the guy who was absurdly, ridiculously good in his first start, or the guy who was kind-of-OK for four innings and then very, very hittable in his last start? I don’t know if it’s just the ridiculous hopefulness of being a Cubs fan, but I tend to think he’s the former. We’ll see.
The lineup is the current “normal” lineup, complete with David DeJesus back in at the top, Alfonso Soriano inexplicably still batting cleanup, Bryan LaHair down at number six, and Geovany Soto and Marlon Byrd collecting outs at the bottom.
For the Marlins, the guy to watch out for is Greg Dobbs. That’s right. Greg Dobbs. Ok, maybe Brett Hayes.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (3-9) at Miami Marlins (6-6), 11:40am CT on WGN and MLBN.
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
Jeff Samardzija (2-0, 3.95 ERA, 13.00 K/BB)
versus
Ricky Nolasco (1-0, 3.46 ERA, 1.000 WHIP)
Miami Marlins Lineup
1. Jose Reyes, SS
2. Emilio Bonafacio, CF
3. Hanley Ramirez, 3B
4. Logan Morrison, LF
5. Giancarlo Stanton, RF
6. Greg Dobbs, 1B
7. Donnie Murphy, 2B
8. Brett Hayes, C
9. Ricky Nolasco, 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. Bryan LaHair, 1B
7. Geovany Soto, C
8. Marlon Byrd, CF
9. Jeff Samardzija, P