Marlins at Cubs
The Chicago Cubs aim for their seventh straight series win when they host the Miami Marlins on Thursday in the finale of a four-game set. The hot stretch began with a three-game sweep at Miami in mid-April and the Cubs improved to 5-1 against the Marlins with a 3-2 victory in 11 innings Wednesday night.
Jason Heyward's sixth home run of the year was the game-winner as Chicago won for the 16th time in its last 20 games overall. Kyle Hendricks allowed only an unearned run in his eight innings of work in Wednesday's win as the Cubs lowered their ERA to 2.44 over a 25-game span. Yu Darvish has struggled to contribute to that phenomenal stretch on the mound, but hopes to join the party when he starts the series finale for Chicago. Trevor Richards takes the ball for the Marlins, who have been held to two runs or fewer in five of their last six games.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Trevor Richards (0-4, 4.10 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Yu Darvish (2-3, 5.79)
Richards posted a 7.80 ERA during a personal three-game losing streak before he worked 4 1/3 scoreless innings in a no-decision against Atlanta on Saturday. His 0-3 stretch began with a rocky start against the Cubs, who got to the 25-year-old for five runs over 4 2/3 innings April 15 in Miami. Thursday will mark Richards' debut at Wrigley Field.
Darvish had his best start of the year in a win at Arizona on April 27, allowing one run in six innings, but was unable to build on that outing when he returned home Saturday against St. Louis. The 32-year-old gave up season highs of five runs and six hits while walking five batters, his highest total since he issued seven free passes March 30. Curtis Granderson is 1-for-15 with six strikeouts against Darvish, who has a 6.75 ERA in four career starts against the Marlins.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs RHP Pedro Strop, who leads the team with four saves, was placed on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring injury.
2. Marlins 2B Starlin Castro is 4-for-8 over his last two games following an 0-for-26 slide over the previous seven contests.
3. Chicago 2B Addison Russell went 0-for-3 on Wednesday in his return from a 40-game suspension for violating the league's domestic abuse policy.