Cubs @ Marlins: Quintana vs. López (Game 16)
CHC (6-9): LHP José Quintana (1-1, 5.14 ERA)
MIA (4-13): RHP Pablo López (1-2, 6.60 ERA)
First pitch 6:10pmCDT
Quintana is coming off a win against the angels in which he pitched 7 innings and struck out 11. He'll try to continue the stretch of decent starting pitching that the Cubs have sorely needed. The strikeouts in his last start stand out, but he also collected 8 SOs in 4 innings in his relief appearance on March 30. He sports a 14.14 K/9 and 4.50 BB/9. The Marlins have collectively slashed a paltry .200/.328/.382 against him in 55 at bats, with Starlin Castro contributing an 0-18 and 3 walks.López makes his 4th start this season and the 14th of his MLB career. He's got a groundball repertoire (fastball/sinker, changeup, and curve), but he's collected 17 strikeouts in 15 IP this season, and he sends his fastball up there in the mid-90s. No Cub has faced him. He's posted reverse splits in the majors and the big difference is slugging. Given that sample isn't giant, I'd be surprised if Maddon takes it too much to heart. Still, it might be a good idea to get the low-ball hitting Bote in there. Contreras and Heyward continue to be the hot hands in the lineup.
.500 is on the horizon—go Cubs! (May this game feature less pinball.)
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