The Cubs are just one game into the playoffs, and they are already fighting to keep their season alive.
Under a sunny sky in Chicago on Wednesday afternoon, the Miami Marlins came out victorious by a score of 5-1 in game one of a three-game playoff series in the first round of the playoffs.
The 2020 MLB playoff format features 16 teams, four more than in previous seasons. The Marlins punched a ticket into the playoffs as No. 6 seed, with a record of 31-29.
The Cubs struck first, on a solo home run by Ian Happ. It was the centerfielder's first homer in the playoffs, and would end up being the only run the Cubs could score in the contest.
Miami took six innings to find an offensive rhythm, but exploded in the seventh. Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks threw six innings of scoreless work, but by the time he had secured one out in the seventh, Miami had already pushed across three runs. Chicago manager David Ross called Jeremy Jeffress from the bullpen to limit the damage, but he could not hold back the Marlins' offensive attack. By the time the third out of the inning was recorded, Miami was in complete control, leading 5-1. That proved to be enough for the Marlins to walk away with a surprising game one win.
DH Jesus Aguilar led the way for Miami, going 2-for-5 at the plate with a run and two RBI.
For the Cubs, Happ was the only hitter in the lineup to have a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4.
On Thursday, the Cubs will return to Wrigley for another battle against Miami. Only, the series will be on the line, along with the Cubs' season. A win would force a decisive game three. A loss, well, let's not talk about that. It would send the Cubs packing, a rough way to end a season in which the team performed so well down the stretch.
First pitch is at 1:08 pm CT on ABC and ESPN3. Yu Darvish is scheduled to start for the Cubs. On the season he has posted a 2.01 ERA. The Marlins are likely to start Sixto Sanchez, a top prospect in Miami's farm system who has an 11.57 ERA over the course of his last two starts.
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