Cubs Split Series with Marlins, Start Must-Win Series Against Brewers

The Chicago Cubs finished up their four game series Sunday with a 9-6 victory over the Florida Marlins. On Thursday, staff ace Carlos Zambrano hoped to start a winning streak with a strong outing going seven innings giving up six hits and only two runs and was rewarded with the victory. New pitcher Rich Harden continued his string of bad luck since joining the Cubs with another strong outing on Saturday, giving up two hits and striking out ten in five innings of work. Unfortunately, as has been the trend with Harden when he starts, the Cubs couldn’t give their new star pitcher enough run support to get the victory. Jeff Samardzija made his big league debut Friday, going two strong innings giving up only one run and striking out two. Samardzija also pitched on Sunday, getting his first big league save in two innings.

The offense in the series against the Marlins continued their inconsistency, only getting two runs in the middle two games of the series. The return of Alfonso Soriano has added consistency to the front end of the rotation, though. In the series he went 5-18 with a home run. Aramis Ramirez and Derek Lee also homered ending a lengthy homer drought for both of them.

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Tonight, the Cubs start a do-or-die four game series with the Milwaukee Brewers. They start off the series by facing off against CC Sabathia tonight and Ben Sheets tomorrow night. The Cubs currently lead the Brewers by one game in the National League Central. This is a crucial series in what has quickly become the best division race in all of baseball.

By Anthony Norwood
Chicago Cubs Correspondent

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