Gina: The Marlins are down to their last few regular season games, and they just got swept by the Padres in San Diego. Jake Cronenworth was on fire, hitting two home runs in the finale, and now this battered squad has to fly out to Chicago to take on the Cubs. It’s a tall order for a team that is currently sitting at 76 and 80.
Wes: It really is. The offensive output against San Diego was stifled, and with the injury list looking like it does right now, you have to wonder if there is enough left in the tank for this trip to Wrigley Field. We’ve talked about the injuries before, but today we need to look at what pitching assets actually exist for this series.
Gina: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Gina, and alongside me is Wes. Today we are previewing the Miami Marlins’ upcoming series against the Chicago Cubs. We’re going to break down the pitching matchup, look at who is healthy enough to hit, and give you our keys to the series. Stick around.
Gina: Before we get into the weeds of the Cubs series, I want to say something real quick. If you love hearing deep dives like this every single day, please consider supporting us. It costs you nothing but helps keep the show free for everyone. Just check the link in the episode description.
Wes: That means a lot. Your support keeps us digging through the data so we can bring you these previews while they matter most. Thanks for listening.
Gina: Okay, let’s dive in. Segment one: The series and the pitching probables. We know Max Meyer is on the 15-day IL, and Joe Musgrove is out for the year on the 60-day. So who starts for Miami tonight against Chicago?
Wes: Right now, it looks like Eury Perez is the likely starter for Game One. He’s been getting the call when the rotation takes a hit. Against the Cubs, you have to be careful. Wrigley is a hitter’s park, and Perez needs to keep his ground balls down.
Gina: And what about the bullpen? We had Jason Adam on the 60-day, Anthony Bender on the 15-day. The relief corps is decimated. How do you manage the late innings with this roster?
Wes: You lean heavily on Bradley Blalock and Josh Ekness. They are your workhorses right now. But you also have to use guys like Dax Fulton and Cade Gibson in setup roles. It’s not ideal depth, but it’s what you have. The key will be pitch count management early.
Gina: So, if Perez goes seven innings, which is a big ask, Blalock comes in to close. But if he struggles, the bullpen gets stretched thin. That’s the story of this series for Miami.
Wes: Exactly. And don’t forget Ryan Gusto is available as a long man if things go sideways. But you never want to burn him unless you have to. The Cubs are dangerous, and they won’t let Miami settle into a rhythm easily.
Gina: Let’s talk about the opponent. The Cubs are fighting for playoff positioning, too. They aren’t as hot as the Padres were, but they are competent. What do we know about their starting pitcher?
Wes: We don’t have the official probable listed in the brief yet, but typically Chicago brings someone who can eat innings. For Miami, the challenge is that their own rotation is missing its top two arms. Meyer and Musgrove being out changes the entire strategic landscape.
Gina: It does. And remember, Xavier Edwards is day-to-day. If he isn’t ready, who is playing second base? That’s a huge hole in the infield defense.
Wes: Jared Serna would likely slide over. He’s versatile, but he’s not Edwards. Edwards provides speed and contact ability from the leadoff spot. Losing him hurts the lineup construction significantly.
Gina: Okay, moving on. Segment two: Key hitters and bullpen questions, plus injuries. Let’s look at the bats. Heriberto Hernandez had a great game against San Diego recently. Can he carry the load here?
Wes: He can try. Hernandez has shown he can drive the ball. But against a quality Cubs staff, you need more than one guy stepping up. Esteury Ruiz is another option. His speed puts pressure on the outfielders, even if his power is limited.
Gina: What about Griffin Conine? He’s been a steady presence in the outfield. Does he have any pop left for this late in the season?
Wes: Conine is more of a contact hitter. He doesn’t strike out much, which is valuable. But in Wrigley, you need launch angle. You need guys who can pull the ball to the gaps. Kyle Stowers might be better suited for that role given his strength.
Gina: Stowers is at first base. Who else is in the mix? Agustin Ramirez at DH? He’s young, but he has some pop.
Wes: Ramirez is intriguing. He’s still developing plate discipline, but against right-handed pitching, he can be dangerous. The issue is consistency. Can he handle the pressure of a playoff-bound Cubs team?
Gina: And let’s address the elephant in the room. Owen Caissie is on the 10-day IL. Gavin Sheets too. Miguel Andujar is out. This lineup is missing a lot of veteran presence. How do rookies handle this?
Wes: They have to play within themselves. Jakob Marsee in center field is a defensive gem, but offensively, he needs to find ways to get on base. Deyvison De Los Santos at first is another rookie piece. These kids are learning on the job in high-leverage spots.
Gina: It’s impressive they are still competing. 76 wins is respectable, but the injuries have made every game feel like a marathon. Victor Vodnik in the bullpen is another name to watch. He’s reliable.
Wes: Vodnik is solid. He keeps the ball in the park. In Wrigley, that’s essential. You don’t want to give up easy home runs to young arms who might be struggling with command.
Gina: So, the strategy is: ground balls, contact, and hope the bullpen holds. Anything else?
Wes: Platoon splits matter more now. If the Cubs start a lefty, you need to make sure Graham Pauley or Javier Sanoja are in the lineup to counter it. Flexibility is key with the depleted roster.
Gina: Alright, segment three. Keys to the series and a bold prediction. What is the one thing Miami must do to win this series in Chicago?
Wes: Turnover prevention. The Cubs will score runs. They have the talent. Miami cannot afford errors. Every mistake leads to extra innings, and with the bullpen stretched, extra innings are deadly. Keep the game low-scoring.
Gina: I agree. And second base defense. If Edwards plays, he’s a weapon. If he doesn’t, Serna needs to be sharp. One bad throw can change the whole inning.
Wes: Bold prediction time. I think Eury Perez pitches well. He gets six innings, gives up three runs, and the Marlins win the opener 4-3. It’s tight, but the bullpen holds.
Gina: Ooh, aggressive. I’ll go with a split. The Cubs take the first two, but Miami steals the finale. I predict a 5-4 Marlins win in the rubber match, fueled by a late rally from Esteury Ruiz’s speed.
Wes: Ruiz stealing the show? I’ll take that bet. But I still think the Cubs are too strong overall. They are fighting for the wild card. Miami is playing for pride.
Gina: Pride is powerful though. Especially for these young guys trying to prove themselves before the offseason.
Wes: Absolutely. Whether they win or lose, this group has fought hard all season despite the injuries. Respect where it’s due.
Gina: Thanks for tuning in to the Beatline Podcast Network. We covered the pitching matchup, the injured list impact, and our predictions for the Cubs series. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen.
Wes: Check the link in the description if you want to support the show directly. It helps us keep bringing you daily content like this.
Gina: Go Marlins! Let’s see what those kids can do in Chicago. I’m Gina, joined by Wes. We’ll see you tomorrow.