Marlins vs. Cubs: Game 107 Thread

As crazy as it may seem, the Marlins have not been swept in a series since April 17th, when the Braves took three in a row from them at Marlins Park. While this excludes a short, two game trip to Detroit in late June, the feat is one to be proud of among Marlins fan, as the Fish currently hold a half game lead on the Cardinals for the second NL Wild Card.

Facing off will be Tom Koehler and veteran John Lackey.

Lackey made his major league debut in 2002 with the Angels and has put together a long, storied career. While he sports a 3.90 career ERA, he has 173 wins to 143 losses lifetime and will always be known as a 'gamer', notorious for his vocality on the mound to umpires and players alike. Coming off arguably the best season of his career with the Cardinals where he put up a 2.77 ERA over 218 innings, this season, he migrated to the rival Cubs, and has done very well, with the highest K/9 of his career to go with an 8-7 record. He makes up one of the best starting rotations in baseball, and will likely pose a serious threat come the postseason, with his tendency to step up during big games.

Tom Koehler's season hasn't been nearly as good. Sitting on a 4+ ERA with a lack of control (4.26 BB/9), Koehler has actually strung together two fantastic starts in a row, both versus the weak Philadelphia Phillies. This matchup against the Cubs is a very different animal as they possess one of the better lineups in all of the league from top to bottom. Add to that a revamped bullpen, now featuring Aroldis Chapman and Joe Smith, and you have a team poised to nab home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Marlins need a win here to keep pace in the National League race.

Ichiro is of course only two hits away from 3,000 and what better ballpark to get the feat done in - besides Miami - then historic Wrigley Field.

Prediction: Marlins are swept for the first time since mid-April, lose 5-2