9/30-10/2: Marlins (31-29) at Cubs (34-26) - National League Wild Card IGT

[Yagyu+]

2020 NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL STANDINGS

----
34-26--------30-28--------31-29-------29-31-------19-41


PROBABLE PITCHERS

Wednesday, September 30, 1:08 PM CT
Listen: 670 The Score, ESPN Radio, WRTO 1200 | Watch: ABC
.....VS.....
Kyle Hendricks...............................................Sandy Alcantara

Kyle Hendricks: Hendricks has a 2.98 ERA in 11 postseason games, including starting Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. The righty finished strong, going 3-1 with a 1.45 ERA in September. In 37 1/3 innings in the final month, Hendricks had 30 strikeouts compared to four walks.

Sandy Alcantara: Alcantara’s ability to shut down a lineup is one reason he was tabbed to start Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, as the Marlins play the Cubs at Wrigley Field. A 2019 All-Star, Alcantara lobbied the team to get the ball in the first game of best-of-three set. The hard-throwing righty, who missed a month due to testing positive for COVID-19, went 3-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 42 innings over seven starts.

RESCHEDULED: Friday, October 2, 1:08 PM CT
Listen: 670 The Score, ESPN Radio, WRTO 1200 | Watch: ABC
.....VS.....
Yu Darvish...............................................Sixto Sánchez

Yu Darvish: Darvish has a 5.81 ERA in six career postseason games, but he has been an ace for Chicago dating back to last season. Darvish has a 2.40 ERA with 211 strikeouts and 21 walks in 157 2/3 innings since the second half of '19.

Sixto Sánchez: Miami's top prospect made seven starts in his rookie season, but it has been a tale of the first five outings and his last two. He posted a 1.69 ERA in his first five starts before it spiked to 11.57 over the final two.

RESCHEDULED: Saturday, October 3, 1:08 PM CT
Listen: 670 The Score, ESPN Radio, WRTO 1200 | Watch: ABC
.....VS.....
Jon Lester...............................................Pablo López

Jon Lester: The Cubs will be trusting Lester and his wealth of playoff experience to lead them to the next round. A three-time World Series champ, Lester has a 2.51 ERA in 154 career playoff innings. That includes a 1.93 ERA dating back to 2016.

Pablo López: López made a team-high 11 starts and was the only member from the Opening Day rotation to stay on the active roster all season. The 24-year-old struck out 59 in 57 1/3 innings. Batters hit .216 vs. his changeup.

GUEST BOOK

[BDawk4Prez]

It’s happening!

[1908_Cubs]

[Tg11]

I have Cubs winning in 2...Cubs sweep this Wild Card series 2-0

[PeanutPunch33]

I’m not sure the Marlins have the LHP to hit our rotation and that bullpen is not good at all. I think this will be a quick series.

[chibears55]

A little payback for 03...

Bartman to throw out first pitch to Alou [emoji28]

[CP_414]

I think the Cubs have a 55-60% chance of winning this series, so I’m not confident at all.

This is the best matchup they could have hoped for in this round.

[CubsRule08]

Oh ****! Yags coming in clutch!

Also, I’d like to join the guestbook, good sir.

[Sofnr]

Hell yah. Let's get it done.

[CubsRule08]

Hendricks gets Game 1, Darvish gets Game 2

LETS GO BOYS

[Yagyu+]

I'll update the first post once the Marlins rotation is set.

[1908_Cubs]

I think the Cubs have a 55-60% chance of winning this series, so I’m not confident at all.

This is the best matchup they could have hoped for in this round.

I would completely agree with this assessment if anyone other than Yags had made the GT. But with his triumphant return and the return of the guestbook, I think we're looking at another 5-10% at least.

[Sofnr]

[WhyCantWeWin]

I think we can win this round and possibly next round if we get the Reds. But no chance we beat the Dodgers or Braves.

[s2obed]

Should be an easy series win with Kyle and Yu going right? If only the offense can wake up for the playoffs.