The Chicago Cubs (50-63) and Philadelphia Phillies (51-62) will play the rubber match of their three game series at Citizens Bank Ballpark today at 1:05 p.m., in a matchup of slumping ballclubs. The game can be live streamed here; Cubs fans can listen to the game on WGN 720 while Phillie Phanatics can tune in on 1210 WPHT.
Both squads enter today's matinee 2-8 in their last 10 games, but the Cubs have an advantage with Jeff Samardzija (6-10, 3.78 ERA) on the bump. With Matt Garza and Scott Feldman being dealt before the trade deadline, Samardzija has assumed the mantle as Cubs' ace.
Despite an underwhelming overall record, Samardzija has been one of MLB's underrated starters in terms of entertainment value. He has set 155 batters down on strikes this season in 150 innings of work, putting him over the strikeout-per-inning mark. He is just outside the top 10 in the NL in strikeouts per nine innings, and clocks in at ninth in total strikeouts.
Meanwhile, the Phillies will trot out Ethan Martin (0-1, 12.46 ERA) who was blown up in his MLB debut by the Atlanta Braves. "It was tough," Martin said after his thrashing. "It was a challenge, but I wanted to go out there and prove I could do it. I take what I learn from this and go on to the next one."
He will look for support from Philadelphia's new $27 million man Chase Utley, who just inked a deal to remain in Philly for two more years. "I love Philadelphia," the 35-year-old career Phillie said. "I've always envisioned playing here. I've never envisioned playing anywhere else."
He pinch hit in last night's loss to Chicago, smacking a game-tying single in the seventh inning of a game the Phillies would eventually drop 5-2.
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