Miami Marlins @ Chicago Cubs game preview 9/4/13

Feb 22, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins player Brian Flynn (71) poses for a picture during photo day at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins earned their 3rd consecutive win last night as they defeated the Chicago Cubs by a score of 6-2. Christian Yelich and Donovan Solano led the charge with each collecting 3 hits and 2 RBI’s. The bullpen was stellar as Tom Koehler failed to make it through the 5th inning, but Ryan Webb earned the win by pitching a flawless 6th and 7th. Chris Coghlan also had an impressive game barreling up some baseballs at the plate and playing some stellar defense at third base.

Miami is right back at it this afternoon in a day game at Wrigley. It doesn’t get much better than that. Brian Flynn will make his major league debut for the Fish as they are pushing back Jose Fernandez‘s start to allow him to pitch in front of the home fans in South Florida tomorrow night. Flynn was originally thought of as a throw in piece to the Marlins trade with the Detroit Tigers that sent Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante to the Motor City and brought in Jacob Turner and Rob Brantly also. Since the start of the season Flynn has been turning heads in both double a and triple a. He has posted a 2.63 ERA in 161 innings pitched. He has struck out 147 batters and only walked 43.

Chicago will answer with Jeff Samardzija. Samardzija has already thrown 183.0 innings this year, a career high. He has posted a k/9 rate of 8.90 and his win/loss record is 8-11 in 28 games started. Any pitcher on any given day can have control of their pitches and have a great day or get hit hard and really struggle. Samardzija seems to take that to the extreme though. In 2 seperate outings since July 10th, Samardzija has allowed 9 earned runs in a game. In that same time frame he has posted 6 outings of 3 runs or less. The Cubs are hoping for the latter today.

Miami is attempting to win a season high 4th game in a row and sweep only their second series of the year. The only other sweep Miami has had this year was against the Mets back in the first month of the season at home. If you are looking for the last time the Marlins swept a series on the road you would have to go back to San Diego in May of last year. Chris Coghlan will again get things started at the top of the Marlins lineup and play third base. Miami is hoping that he continues to provide the spark that he did last night.

Starting Lineup

MIA

Flynn

1. Solano, 2B

1. Yelich, LF

1. Stanton, RF

1. Ruggiano, CF

1. Morrison, 1B

1. Hechavarria, SS

1. Hill, C

1. Flynn, P