Series Preview: Marlins at Cubs, May 7 – May 9, 2018

The Marlins are coming to town. Is that dread or elation?

After a forgettable weekend in St. Louis, the Chicago Cubs are playing host to the Miami Marlins in their second matchup of the season. Their first, you might recall, was a somewhat frustrating four-game series split to open the year, wherein Jon Lester, Yu Darvish, and Jose Quintana all struggled mightily. Kyle Hendricks was pretty good in his start against them, though, and he’ll take the ball tonight in the opener.

As for the Cubs offense, the opening series of the season has since been a perfect microcosm of how things have gone this year. In the first (8 runs) and third games (10 runs), the Cubs scored runs like it was going out of style. And in the second (1 run) and fourth games (0 runs), they acted like it already had. I guess it would be nice to get some of those blowout games going again, though.

The Marlins certainly are a very beatable team, but right now, so are the Cubs.

We’re Going Streaking

The Chicago Cubs (16-15) are currently running a five-game losing streak, which could’ve been much uglier had they not eeked out a couple of really close games just before this stretch. This is their longest losing streak of the year, and only one game short of their longest last season.

The Miami Marlins (13-20) don’t have a great record, but they have won two in a row and seven of their past ten. Must be nice.

Game Times and Broadcasts Info

  • Monday, May 7 at 7:05 CT on NBC Sports Chicago, 670 The Score
  • Tuesday, May 8 at 7:05 on NBC Sports Chicago, 670 The Score
  • Wednesday, May 9 at 1:20 on WGN, 670 The Score
  • Chicago Cubs

    Probable Pitchers:

  • Kyle Hendricks (3.19 ERA, 5.31 FIP; 3.22 K/BB)
  • Yu Darvish (6.00 ERA, 5.09 FIP; 4.08 K/BB)
  • Jose Quintana (4.99 ERA, 4.65 FIP; 1.69 K/BB)
  • Active Depth Chart:

  • C – Willson Contreras
  • 1B – Anthony Rizzo
  • 2B – Javy Baez
  • 3B – Kris Bryant
  • SS – Addison Russell
  • LF – Kyle Schwarber/Ben Zobrist
  • CF – Albert Almora/Ian Happ
  • RF – Jason Heyward/Ben Zobrist
  • Miami Marlins

    Probable Pitchers:

  • Jarlin Garcia (1.09 ERA, 3.73 FIP; 1.77 K/BB)
  • Jose Urena (4.28 ERA, 4.05 FIP; 2.91 K/BB)
  • Wei-Yin Chen (4.82 ERA, 8.51 FIP; 0.83 K/BB)
  • Active Depth Chart:

  • C – J.T. Realmuto
  • 1B – Justin Bour
  • 2B – Starlin Castro
  • 3B – Martin Prado
  • SS – Miguel Rojas
  • LF – Derek Dietrich
  • CF – Lewis Brinson
  • RF – Brian Anderson
  • Keep an Eye Out For …

    Cubs Pitcher: Brian Duensing still hasn’t given up a run this year, through 11.2 innings pitched and 46 batters faced. It’ll happen eventually though, as pretty much all of his peripherals suggest a fair bit of luck (.194 BABIP, 100% strand rate, 0.00% HR/FB ratio, 19.6 K%, 10.9 BB%. But hopefully he can extend this streak as long as possible.

    I do want to point out, however, that despite the apparent luck, Duensing does have the 9th lowest hard hit rate in baseball (and a great soft-hit rate). If you’re going to outperform your peripherals, that’s what it would look like.

    Cubs Player: Anthony Rizzo had a rough day yesterday and his season numbers still don’t look great, but he is slashing .273/.261/.682 in May, which is good for a 144 wRC+. He still hasn’t taken a walk yet this month, and does have a sac fly, hence the low OBP, but at least he’s showing some signs of life, including three homers and six hits overall in his past five games.

    Marlins Pitcher: Wei-Yin Chen has now made two starts this season since being activated from the DL (elbow), but his first went much better than his most recent. Against the Rockies, Chen allowed just four hits and one earned run (a solo homer) over 5.1 IP. But against the Reds on Friday, he lasted just 4.0 innings, walked four, gave up two solo homers and four earned runs.

    Marlins PlayerStarlin Castro is currently rocking a .315/.364/.395 slash line (113 wRC+), with the highest walk rate of his career (8.6%). But as you can see, his .081 ISO has led to very few extra base hits, which is tamping down how impactful the production is overall. He’s ultimately having a perfectly fine career, but I suppose, now that he’s 28, he really might never have that one breakout season we all expected back in the day.

    written by

    Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

    more cubs news

    Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

    A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

    Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

    It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    *SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

    The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

    I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

    Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

    ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

    There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

    Latest News

    Big Ten Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 29

    There is one game on the postseason college basketball schedule on Friday that feature Big Ten squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That matchup is the Gonzaga Bulldogs versus the Purdue Boilermakers.How to Bet on Big Ten Games[lasso ref="draftkings-promo-1"...

    SEC Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 30

    The Friday postseason college basketball slate includes two games featuring an SEC team in action. Among those games is the Creighton Bluejays playing the Tennessee Volunteers. Here are our recomendations for the best bets on action throughout the conference.How to...

    Big 12 Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 30

    There is one game on the postseason college basketball schedule on Friday that feature Big 12 squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That matchup is the Duke Blue Devils versus the Houston Cougars.How to Bet on Big 12 Games[lasso...

    ACC Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 29

    There are two games on the postseason college basketball schedule on Friday that feature ACC squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That includes the Duke Blue Devils versus the Houston Cougars.How to Bet on ACC Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best ACC...

    Big East Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 29

    There are three games on the postseason college basketball schedule on Friday that feature Big East squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That includes the Creighton Bluejays versus the Tennessee Volunteers.How to Bet on Big East Games[lasso ref="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"...

    Braves vs. Phillies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Atlanta Braves open their season as -125 favorites in a road matchup with the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday at 3:05 PM ET, live on BSSO.Spencer Strider takes the mound for Atlanta while Zack Wheeler is Philadelphia's starter for the...

    Washington State vs. Illinois Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Two hot teams meet when the Washington State Cougars (21-14) host the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-15) on April 1, 2024. The Cougars will put their three-game win streak on the line against the Fighting Illini, who have won three straight.On...

    Villanova vs. Penn State Women’s Basketball: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Villanova Wildcats (21-12) will try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Penn State Lady Lions (22-12) on April 1, 2024. The Lady Lions have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Villanova...

    Brewers vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Milwaukee Brewers look to start their season with a win as road favorites (-110) in a season-opening matchup with the New York Mets. First pitch is on Friday at 1:40 PM ET on SNY, live from Citi Field.Freddy Peralta...

    Braves vs. Phillies Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The Atlanta Braves (0-0) and the Philadelphia Phillies (0-0) match up on Friday at Citizens Bank Park for Opening Day. First pitch is at 3:05 PM ET.The Braves will look to Spencer Strider versus the Phillies and Zack Wheeler.Braves vs....

    more cubs news