Pregame Notes: Cubs look to extend win streak to five

Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

One day after triumph turned to tragedy – and then back to victory – the Chicago Cubs will try to win a season-high fifth consecutive game this afternoon when they host the Miami Marlins in the second game of a three-game set.

Jeff Samardzija (1-1, 2.54) will take the ball for Rick Renteria after his worst outing of the year his last time out. Samardzija was roughed up in a 9-0 loss to the Brewers last Sunday – throwing only 78 pitches. He will try to continue to pitch well at Wrigley Field this season – where he hasn’t won, but has an ERA of only 1.49. He hasn’t won at home since August of last year.

The Cubs have won four in a row at home, as well as seven of their last eight. A win today would give the Cubs a second straight series win on this homestand.

The Marlins are only one game back of first place in the NL East and are 32-29 overall. However, they are only 10-18 away from South Beach while having the best home record in baseball. They will so with veteran southpaw Randy Wolf (1-1, 3.38) today. Wolf has been far from a one-man wolfpack against the Cubs in his career – he is 6-11 with an ERA of 3.87 over the years against the North Siders.

Anthony Rizzo has been on fire as of late. His home runs have been the difference in each of the last two games – and yesterday he even had a two-run double late that gave the Cubs the cushion they needed in the ninth to keep the game alive. His walk-off homer yesterday was his 12th of the season – and his fourth in his last nine games.

With a win, the Cubs will have matched their longest win streak in the past three seasons. First pitch is 3:05 CST – the game will be televised on WGN America as well as broadcast by WGN AM Radio.

Starting Lineups: