Ricky Renteria’s squad enters the 70th game of the season with an identical record as this point in 2013 – which could be interpreted in several ways.
Regardless, the Chicago Cubs (29-40) will look to win their second consecutive road series against a National League East club, taking on the Miami Marlins (36-34) at Marlins Ballpark this afternoon. In its last series against the Phillies, the Cubs won their first road series of the season. A win on Wednesday would make it back-to-back road series wins for the club.
Right-hander Jake Arrieta (2-1, 2.09 ERA) will look to continue the best season of his big league career and head down the home stretch of the month of June, in which he has a sterling 0.51 ERA – including a dominant start against Miami back on June 8. He will be opposed by another right-hander, Nathan Eovaldi (4-2, 3.20 ERA) who has notched 72 strikeouts in 87 1/3 of work this season for the Fish.
This afternoon’s contest begins at 11:40 a.m. CT and can be seen on CSN or MLB Network. It will also be broadcast over the airwaves on 720 AM WGN.
Here are today’s starting lineups:
6/18 @Cubs lineup vs MIA
— MLB Replays (@MLBReplays) June 18, 2014
Valbuena 3B
Coghlan LF
Rizzo 1B
Castro SS
Sweeney CF
Schierholtz RF
Baker C
Barney 2B
Arrieta P
6/18 @Marlins lineup vs. CHC:
— MLB Replays (@MLBReplays) June 18, 2014
Furcal 2B
Hechavarria SS
Stanton RF
McGehee 3B
Jones 1B
Ozuna LF
Marisnick CF
Mathis C
Eovaldi P