The Chicago Cubs haven’t had a .500 record since they were 31-31 on June 5, but they are close now.
On Saturday afternoon, the Cubs can even their record at 65-65 if they defeat the team with the worst record in the National League — the host Miami Marlins, who have lost four games in a row and seven of their past eight.
The Cubs entered this weekend with just a 2.9 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to FanGraphs. Chicago manager Craig Counsell is aware of his team’s long-shot position.
“We’ve got to play well to keep ourselves in it,” Counsell said. “We don’t have margin for error. A poor (road) trip will make this very difficult.”
The Cubs’ chances of reaching .500 on Saturday are enhanced by the presence of left-hander Shota Imanaga, who will get the start. Chicago is 17-6 when Imanaga (9-3, 3.11 ERA) has started a game this season.
Imanaga, 30, technically is a rookie, although he was a star in Japan’s pro league for years.
He won his lone career start against Miami after allowing three runs (two earned) in six innings of a 5-3 victory on April 20.
There’s a chance that major league hitters have adjusted to Imanaga, who pitched to an 0.98 ERA over his first five starts. Meanwhile, in four August starts, he has a 3.80 ERA.
Miami will counter Imanaga with right-hander Valente Bellozo (2-1, 2.45 ERA). A 24-year-old rookie from Mexico, Bellozo has yet to face the Cubs in his career.
Curiously, Bellozo has a much better ERA on the road (1.61 in four starts) than at home (4.22, two starts).
If the Marlins get a late lead, manager Skip Schumaker likely will turn to Calvin Faucher (3.40 ERA) and/or Declan Cronin (4.53 ERA).
In a combined 108 1/3 innings for Faucher and Cronin, they have 114 strikeouts and — impressively — zero homers allowed.
“That’s a giant stat to have for a reliever because you can lose the game on one swing,” Schumaker said of the no homers.
Schumaker especially was effusive in his praise for Cronin and his ability to induce ground balls.
On the negative side for the Marlins on Friday was the injury to shortstop Xavier Edwards, who left after two innings due to lower back discomfort. In 47 games this year, Edwards is hitting .349 with 22 steals and an .864 OPS.
Schumaker, who said Edwards got hurt while stealing second base in the first inning, had no update on his status.
As for the Marlins as a team, they are 0-4 on this homestand, which will end on Sunday. For the season, Miami is 24-43 at home.
Chicago is 28-36 on the road. The Cubs had lost their previous three road games before defeating Miami 6-3 in the series opener on Friday.
The latest win came with the help of rookie Pete Crow-Armstrong’s inside-the-park homer.
Armstrong hit a line drive toward the right-field line and rounded the bases in 14.08 seconds — the fastest time in the majors this season.
Schumaker said he once coached Crow-Armstrong when the rookie was just 14.
“He’s an incredible athlete, a really exciting young player,” Schumaker said. “He can cover a lot of ground in center field.”
–Field Level Media