There’s nothing worse than playing 17 innings, burning the bullpen, and ultimately losing a game, but last night could’ve been a lot worse. Thanks to Eddie Butler, who delivered an amazing 7.0 inning, 4-hit, 1ER, 1BB, 5K performance (starting in the 10th!), the Cubs bullpen isn’t as beat up as it could’ve been.
He was the team’s hero last night (even in a loss), and made what could’ve been a really frustration early-season disaster for the bullpen, into just a really frustration early-season loss. I’m not being sarcastic, that was seriously awesome. The Marlins, by contrast, were forced to use today’s starter, Odrisamer Despaigne, for an inning at the end of the game. He’s still starting tonight, but, well, let’s just say I’m curious to see how comfortable he looks.
In any case, today is another day, and Yu Darvish is taking the mound for Chicago in what will be his regular season Cubs debut. Darvish, like many of the Cubs starters, had an excellent Spring Training this year. Over 19.1 innings pitched, he did what he does and struck out 20 batters while walking just 5 and earning a 2.79 ERA. There’s always a chance for some extra nerves when a big-contract guy makes his debut with a new team, but Darvish is grizzled veteran … he’s gonna rock it.
Starting opposite Darvish, as I explained, is the right-hander, Odrisamer Despaigne. Despaigne, 30, started eight games for the Marlins last year, and made another ten appearances out of the pen. During those 58.1 innings, he earned an above-average 4.01 ERA (4.15 FIP) largely on the strength of inducing weak contact. And I know that, because his 12.2 K%, 9.5 BB%, and 37.6% ground ball rate were all quite terrible (some more than others, but still). Tonight, Cubs hitters can expect mostly sinkers and sliders, but don’t be caught off guard by the occasional 93 MPH four-seamer or big, slow curveball (each used roughly 10% of the time).
It would be really great if this were one of those seasons where we can say “And the only time they were as low as .500 was before Game 3 of the season!” So, you know, go out there and win, Cubs. Let’s go.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (1-1) at Miami Marlins (1-1) – 6:10 CT on NBC Sports Chicago, 670 The Score, and YouTubeTV
Game Thread and Series Preview
Your game thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun today.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Yu Darvish (R): 3.86 ERA, 3.83 FIP; 3.65 K/BB (2017 stats)
versus
Marlins: Odrisamer Despaigne (R): 4.01 ERA, 4.15 FIP; 1.29 K/BB (2017 stats)
Miami Marlins
- Lewis Brinson, CF
- Derek Dietrich, LF
- Starlin Castro, 2B
- Justin Bour, 1B
- Brian Anderson, 3B
- Cameron Maybin, RF
- Miguel Rojas, SS
- Bryan Holaday, C
- Odrisamer Despaigne, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Ian Happ, CF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Yu Darvish, P