The Chicago Cubs open a three-game series with the Miami Marlins on Monday night.
The series: Monday, 6:10 p.m. CT, Jason Hammel (6-4, 2.81 ERA) versus Tom Koehler (5-5, 3.68).
Tuesday, 6:10 p.m., Jeff Samardzija (2-6, 2.77) versus Jacob Turner (2-4, 6.38).
Wednesday, 11:40 a.m., Jake Arrieta (2-1, 2.09) versus Nathan Eovaldi (4-2, 3.71).
Road win: The Cubs just won their first road series of the season in Philadelphia -- a milestone that comes as they close in on the halfway point of their road schedule. After this set in Miami, the Cubs will have 40 games left on the road and 52 at home, where they are 15-14. They’re just 13-25 on the road after taking two of three from the Phillies.
Scouting: Scouts wanting to see both Samardzija and Hammel for the next few weeks will have an easy time of it as they pitch one after the other in the rotation. There might be a few less at Wednesday’s matinee, with Arrieta not expected to be moved before July's trade deadline.
Who’s hot/who’s not: Starlin Castro has gotten hot again. After a 3-for-4 effort Sunday he’s 10-for-25 (.400) on the current road trip, with 6 RBIs in seven games. ... Neil Ramirez earned saves in both wins in Philadelphia and has three on the season while sporting on 1.06 ERA. ... Without Welington Castillo, Cubs catchers have struggled. Combined, John Baker and Eli Whiteside are 3-for-26 (.115) on the road trip so far.
