Chicago Cubs turn to Lester for series win against Marlins

Cubs’ Lester looks for win in rubber game

The

will turn to their ace

as they look to take two out of three against the host Miami Marlins. Unfortunately, the Cubs will be without one of their young hitters as Lester (4-3, 3.30) faces off against the Marlins

(5-2, 3.03) who has been his best at Marlins Park.

The Cubs (27-23) will be without Jorge Soler as he was placed on the 15-day DL with a sprained ankle. He could miss up to 2-3 weeks according to Joe Maddon, and they recalled Mike Baxter to replace him on the roster. That extended period of absence will leave questions as to the possibility of Javier Baez getting a call-up should the injury linger.  

The Cubs will likely turn to the once forgotten Junior Lake, who will see an increase in playing time in Soler’s absence. The recently hot Chris Coghlan will need to continue his current production at the plate as the Cubs will lose a power bat from the lineup.

Lester will need to keep the speedy Dee Gordon of the bases, which has been difficult as he leads the league with a .367 average, and is second in stolen bases with 20, trailing only the Reds’ Billy Hamilton (22).

The Marlins (21-32) will look for Haren to continue his solid work at home, as he currently is 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA at home. He’ll look to get support from Giancarlo Stanton, who will be getting his first look at the Cubs’ Lester. Of the Marlins 14 home runs at home, Stanton has half of them.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 pm CT at Marlins Park. WPWR will have the television broadcast, while WBBM 780 will have the radio.

Here are the lineups for tonight’s finale: