Chicago Cubs look to make it six straight with sweep of Marlins

Just last week, the Chicago Cubs limped into Wrigley Field on a six game losing streak. Tonight, they look to erase that with a six game winning streak.

The Chicago Cubs (30-27) look to complete their second consecutive sweep and make it nine in a row at Wrigley tonight. In a season of ups and downs, the Cubs have once again hit their stride and are hoping this continues for more than just the home stand. After a slow start at Wrigley Field, the Cubs have now won eight straight at Wrigley and 12 of their last 14. This is definitely a good sign for a team that struggled at home out of the gate.

Pitching Matchup

The Cubs will send RHP John Lackey (4-5, 4.90 ERA) to the mound. The Miami Marlins (24-33) will counter with Jose Urena (3-2, 3.80 ERA). Lackey is coming off a strong start against the Cardinals in which he allowed just two runs in seven innings. It’s a roller coaster of a season for the 39-year-old so far, but he has fared well against the Marlins in his career. He has three quality starts out of four against them.

Urena is in a similar boat to Lackey. Just 26, Urena got off to a great start allowing just three earned runs in his first three starts. However, he has struggled mightily since then. He’s allowed five home runs in his last three starts. That does not bode well for a homer happy team like the Cubs, who have hit 74 homers in 57 games.

Urena has faced the Cubs once in his career. He allowed three runs in six innings in 2015. Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell both had RBIs off Urena.

Offense Coming Around

The Cubs offense is showing signs of coming around. Going 6-for-16 with RISP yesterday, the Cubs are finally getting those big clutch hits they needed. In the five home games, the Cubs are 12-for-30 (.400) with RISP.  A vast improvement from the 3-for-40 during the six game losing streak.  Despite a low (.236) batting average, Rizzo still leads the team in RBIs (34), and is tied for home runs (13).

The biggest questions offensively are still Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber. Talks of Schwarber heading to the minors were put on hold after his go-ahead grand slam against the Cardinals on Saturday. He will be back in the lineup tonight against the right-hander, but he still is batting just .162 and is tied for fifth in the NL in strikeouts (66).

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Russell continues to see his average drop (.209) and has just one hit in five games in June so far. Russell hasn’t homered since May 16th against the Reds and hasn’t had a multi-hit game since April 28th.

Lineups

Ian Happ returns to the lineup batting leadoff and Schwarber resumes his now usual 9th spot. Russell gets the day off as the Cubs look to sweep.

First pitch is set for 7:05 pm from beautiful Wrigley Field. WGN will have the television coverage and WSCR 670 The Score will have the radio broadcast. Be sure to check back during and after the game for more Cubs news!