Cubs at. Marlins
Hanley Ramirez is heating up, and that is very good news for Miami. The Marlins’ third baseman, who slid over from shortstop to make way for free-agent signee Jose Reyes, has homered in the eighth inning in consecutive games. His three-run shot in the eighth Tuesday snapped a 2-2 tie and lifted Miami to a 5-2 victory in the series opener. Chicago has lost six of its past eight and has been outscored 20-6 during its current three-game losing streak.
The Cubs turn to Matt Garza to stop the slide. The right-hander came within an out of a complete game his last time out, silencing Milwaukee with 8 2/3 strong innings. Two errors cost Chicago dearly on Tuesday, leading to three unearned runs. Ramirez raised his average to .286 with a 1-for-3 performance against the Cubs. On Sunday against Houston, Ramirez finished with four hits, including a game-tying homer in the eighth and the game-winning single in the 11th.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), Fox Sports Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Chicago RH Matt Garza (1-0, ERA 1.23), Miami LH Mark Buehrle (0-2, ERA 3.65).
Garza was outstanding in picking up his first victory of the season Thursday, striking out nine in 8 2/3 innings against Milwaukee. Garza allowed just three hits and no earned runs. The right-hander is 3-1 in five career starts against the Marlins. Buehrle makes his third NL start, but his 14th against the Cubs. The left-hander went 5-4 with a 4.15 ERA against Chicago in 11 seasons with the cross-town White Sox. Buehrle allowed eight hits and three runs in 6 1/3 innings Thursday in a 3-1 loss at Philadelphia.
WALK-OFFS:
1. The Marlins drew 24,544, just 66.3 percent of capacity, in their fifth game at Marlins Park.
2. Miami outfielder Chris Coghlan is just 3-for-20 to start the season, but is 4-for-5 lifetime against Garza.
3. Chicago shortstop Starlin Castro stole his seventh base Tuesday, tying Dee Gordon of the Dodgers for the major-league lead.