The Chicago Cubs will go for a three-game series sweep of the host Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon.
Chicago beat Miami 14-2 on Saturday, reaching .500 for the first time since June 5.
Meanwhile, Miami has gone 0-5 on this homestand with one game remaining. The Marlins also have the worst record in the National League.
The Cubs are scheduled to start right-hander Javier Assad (6-3, 3.11 ERA) on Sunday.
Chicago is 13-10 this year when starting Assad, and that includes a 3-2 loss to the Marlins on April 20. That’s his only career appearance against Miami, and he received a no-decision after allowing one run in 4 2/3 innings.
A 27-year-old native of Mexico, Assad has been consistent since making his MLB debut on Aug. 23, 2022. He had a 3.11 ERA in 2022, a 3.05 ERA last year and his 3.11 mark this season.
He is 13-8 with a 3.08 ERA in 64 career games, including 41 starts. He has a 3.00 ERA at home and a 3.17 road ERA, and a 3.05 ERA as a starter with a 3.18 ERA in relief.
Assad figures to be supported by a strong Cubs bullpen. One of the leaders of that bullpen is Jorge Lopez, who has a 0.79 ERA in 20 appearances with the Cubs this season.
Prior to that, he had a 3.76 ERA in 28 appearances with the New York Mets, who released him after an in-game temper tantrum seemingly directed at fans.
“He’s got his delivery and himself into a place that’s really confident,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said of Lopez. “You’re seeing the really good version of Jorge Lopez.”
The Marlins on Sunday will start right-hander Adam Oller, who would love to have Assad’s resume.
Oller, who turns 30 in October, is 3-10 with a 7.21 ERA in 29 career games, including 16 starts. Oller is 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA in his only appearance this year.
Oller — like Assad — broke into the majors in 2022. Oller has faced the Cubs twice, going 0-0 with an 18.68 ERA. Both appearances were in relief.
After they dealt several standouts prior to the trade deadline, the Marlins are giving valuable playing time to several young players, including third baseman Connor Norby, who homered on Saturday.
“There are a lot of young guys trying to prove themselves,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said on Saturday. “They can’t lack effort. They can’t lack detail.
“I believe our coaching staff has done a good job of keeping these guys accountable and learning from their mistakes and not letting it happen again. It’s fun to watch our coaching staff teach these young guys how to play the game the right way.”
Schumaker said there’s always a certain amount of teaching that goes on with teams. However, he admitted “there’s a lot more teaching” happening with a young team such as the Marlins.
“It’s more hands on, which is good,” Schumaker said. “It’s tough developing at the big-league level, but it’s a much different roster (after the trade deadline).
“You try to teach with whatever roster you’re given. You also see guys grow into leadership roles.”
