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This is a very important road trip for the Cubs. If you haven't yet checked out my series preview, please do.
I won't say this series will be "easy," because the Marlins are, after all, big-league ballplayers and anything can happen. But if the Cubs want to contend this year, they ought to win these three games, because the next six on the trip (in Washington and Detroit) will be much tougher tests.
If the Cubs can find a way to go 5-4 or better on this trip, I'll be very happy.
Finally, here is your once-a-series reminder about SB Nation's partner daily fantasy game, FanDuel. If you want to participate, here's the link.
Here are today's particulars.
Cubs lineup:
Fowler CF, Bryant 3B, Rizzo 1B, Soler RF, Montero C, Castro SS, Coghlan LF, Hammel P, Russell 2B
Getting the ol' 2-3-4 back together. Game preview: http://t.co/sQZJpLl7Qg #LetsGo pic.twitter.com/dzNLlDIk4V
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 1, 2015
Marlins lineup:
Gordon 2B, Prado 3B, Stanton RF, Bour 1B, Ozuna CF, Yelich LF, Realmuto C, D. Solano SS, Urena P
Today's Starting Pitchers |
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I'm going to skip the usual pitcher matchup information today and simply post this.
Jason Hammel has gone at least seven innings in each of his last four starts, posting a 2.17 ERA and issuing just five walks in 29 innings while striking out 31.
Jose Urena is making his second big-league start (fourth big-league appearance) and in the previous start, against the Pirates May 26, he allowed 10 hits and five earned runs in 4⅔ innings.
Now who do you think has a better chance of winning this game?
Today's game is on CSN Chicago.
Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Marlins site Fish Stripes.
The 2015 Game Thread procedure has changed a bit. Here's how it will work going forward.
You'll find the game preview posted separately on the front page, two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream™ containing the preview will also post on the front page. The First Pitch Thread and all the overflow threads will be published in that stream, as well as the recap. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post, and at the time I write the recap I will rename the stream "Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of Week) Game Threads" so you can go back and find every thread related to that particular game.
You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread, all the overflow threads and recap in the box marked "Chicago Cubs Game Threads" at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in this section link). They will also appear in the game's StoryStream™ as noted above.
The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at one hour, two hours and 2:45 after the scheduled game time.
Discuss amongst yourselves.