Cubs work to fend off Fernandez, Marlins
Having lost five of six, the Cubs are facing South Florida’s favorite dart thrower at the wrong time.
The Marlins’ Jose Fernandez gets his chance to knock off the majors’ top team this afternoon, with a 1:05 p.m. ET first pitch in Miami. Handicappers are making the ultra-rare move of shunning Chicago. Where Joe Maddon’s crew enters as a +120 underdog, though, online sports book Bovada.lv gives the hosts odds of -170 to claim the series finale. The over/under run total currently holds steady at 6.5.
Chicago may still pace the National League in runs scored per contest, but various injuries have curtailed that offensive production of late. Ten different players now reside on the disabled list, including the entire Opening Day outfield of Dexter Fowler, Kyle Schwarber and Jorge Soler. In other words, it’s a particularly rough juncture at which to encounter Fernandez. Miami’s ace is drawing his first-ever assignment vs. the Cubbies. Consider his lifetime mark of 23-1 at Marlins Park, though, and one gets a better idea as to the type of effort he’s likely to muster in a few hours.
Maddon counters with Jason Hammel, who’s also enjoying a terrific season. He’s an integral part of a staff that boasts a collective ERA of 2.36, the best mark in the bigs. Hammel’s foremost challenge here consists of stopping Justin Bour. The Fish’s first baseman has slammed homers in three straight contests, giving him 14 on the campaign.
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We’re well aware of the Cubs’ current personnel limitations, but don’t underestimate the impact of Miami outfielder Marcell Ozuna’s absence either. As the squad leader in batting average (.320), dingers (16) and RBIs (44), he consistently brings a lot to the table for skipper Don Mattingly. Those skills will be missed in an extremely tight rubber affair that should boil down to which bullpen offers greater stability.
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