Chicago Cubs: Lackey makes first career start in Miami

After a wild game between the Chicago Cubs and the Miami Marlins last night, John Lackey will take the mound in his first appearance in Miami as the Cubs tried to cope with several players”dinged up”.

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Chicago Cubs skipper

referred to

as “oxygen” when asked what he’s meant to this club since being called up. His three RBI game helped pace the Cubs last night as they ended their four-game losing streak with a 5-4 win against the Miami Marlins. The team was already without

and

who are nursing day-to-day injuries, and another may have been added to that list.

The Cubs (48-24) will get Montero and Rizzo back in the lineup today but now have lost Ben Zobrist who was hit in the foot and is dealing with a bruise that will keep him out of today’s game.  Lackey (7-3, 2.78) has surpassed expectations thus far, as he’ll be looking to continue his hot start against a team he’s faced just twice in his career. Willson Contreras, who’s off to a hot start, will get the start in left field with first base and catcher covered by the return of the aforementioned veterans.

The Marlins (39-35) will send Paul Clemens (0-0, 5.40) to the hill who will be making just his second start with the team. This is another worrisome match-up for the Cubs as they historically struggle with pitchers they haven’t seen.

The Marlins haven’t been able to rely on Giancarlo Stanton this season, who is still struggling at the plate batting just .213 this year. One man the Cubs–and more specifically Lackey–will need to worry about is Ichiro Suzuki. The two have faced each other ofter when they both played in the AL West. Ichiro has faced Lackey more than any other pitcher, going 36-for-119 (.303).

Here are the lineups for today’s action:

First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. CT at Marlins Park. WGN will have the television coverage while 670 The Score will as always have the radio broadcast. Be sure to check back later on after the game for postgame coverage!