Shorthanded Chicago tries to topple Miami
As recently as a week ago, the Cubs couldn’t do anything wrong. Now they’re asking a 24-year-old to hold down the cleanup spot after a pair of starts in the majors.
Chicago strives to avoid a fifth straight loss in tonight’s contest against Miami, with a 7:05 p.m. ET first pitch down South. Oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv still back the visiting crew as a 1.5-run favorite. The Marlins, on the other hand, typify +128 underdogs.
Joe Maddon’s troops labored through yesterday’s series opener, stranding numerous runners in scoring position. The skipper had limited options, too, in terms of assembling his lineup. Stalwart first baseman Anthony Rizzo’s absence meant an immediate promotion for rookie Willson Contreras. The top catching prospect fanned twice, however, in four at-bats in as the No. 4 man.
Can the lumber spring to life against Tom Koehler (6-6, 3.92 ERA)? Judging by his recent showings, that seems like a dubious proposition. Koehler is 3-1 with a 2.63 ERA in June. The veteran righty hasn’t gone fewer than six innings in the past five starts.
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As for the Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks (5-6, 2.94), he quietly continues to put together a fine campaign. The Dartmouth product must be careful around Giancarlo Stanton, however, because the prodigious slugger finally appears to be heating up. He’s left the yard twice this week after going through a horrendous slump.
Even so, the Marlins are notorious for failing to make beat up on visiting squads on a consistent basis. With or without Rizzo, the Cubbies should pull out just their sixth road victory of the month. Expect a fairly emphatic one at that.
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