The magic number for clinching the NL Central Division is sitting at four for the Chicago Cubs . Any combined Cubs wins or Milwaukee Brewers losses that amount to four will result in the Cubs winning the division. Chicago currently owns a two-game lead in the NL Central Division standings, a number that has shrunk from three on Tuesday due to the Cubs loss to the Marlins and the Brewers win over the Cardinals. Today the Cubs will try to get a win at Florida and cut their magic number to three. However, if the Cubs lose and the Brewers win that number would remain at four while the Brewers would have inched within a game of the Cubs in the standings. The ideal situation for the Cubs is to get a win today coupled with a Brewers loss. This would cut the magic number to two and increase the Cubs division lead back to three.
Chicago will send RHP Jason Marquis (12-8, 4.35 ERA) to the mound with hopes of shutting down the Marlins who would like to play spoiler to the Cubs playoffs hopes. Florida will counter with RHP Daniel Barone (1-3, 5.30 ERA).
Wednesday’s game will be Barone’s sixth start and 16th appearance since getting the call-up from Albuquerque (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League on August 10.
The Cubs will have a definite pitching advantage with Marquis who will be gunning for his 13th win. Marquis’ was signed by the Cubs as a free agent following the 2006 season when the right hander was with the St Louis Cardinals. Marquis was left off the Cardinals 2006 World Series roster due to inconsistency but has bounced back well for the Cubs this year as a dependable man in the rotation.
Marquis has smoking 98-mph heat and is able to keep the ball in the park by inducing ground balls with his biting slider. He handles hitters equally well from both sides, keeps runners close, and doesn't let that leadoff man do any damage.
The Cubs were doubled 4-2 in Tuesday's opener at Florida, as -135 favorites. The combined six runs were UNDER the posted total (9).
Craig Monroe belted a two-run homer for the Cubs, and Ted Lilly surrendered eight hits and four runs over five innings on the hill.
Jeremy Hermida led the way with three hits and two RBIs, while Dontrelle Willis allowed just two hits with seven strikeouts in earning the victory. The Marlins won the game as +125 underdogs.
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