The Chicago Cubs start the 2018 season against the Miami Marlins. Here’s what you need to know to watch the game on TV and online.
It’s MLB Opening Day and it’s time to kick off the 2018 season with the Chicago Cubs visiting the Miami Marlins. Not only is this the first game of the year for the two teams, but it’s the first baseball game of 2018 as the Cubs and Marlins lead off the first of 15 games for this historic Opening Day that will see all 30 MLB teams in action, a first since 1968.
The Chicago Cubs finished 2017 92 – 70 (.568), putting them in the top spot in the NL Central Division, and they were 19 – 14 at Spring Training, good for a .576. Manager Joe Maddon has been pleased with how the team bonded this spring, which will benefit a Chicago team that has a very strong lineup and rotation going into the 2018 season. Lefty Jon Lester has the start for the Cubs. This is Lester’s third Opening Day start for the Cubs and his 7th career Opening Day start. In 2017 Lester was 13 – 8 for a 4.33 ERA in 180.2 innings of work. He was 3 – 1 this spring (2.81 ERA, 16 IP, 15 strikeouts).
2017 was a good year for the Miami Marlins, who finished in second place in the NL East behind the Washington Nationals. That second place finish, incidentally, was 20 games back from the Nats with the Marlins less than .500 (77 – 85, .475) on the season. They looked a lot better in Spring Training, where they went 15-13 for .536. RHP Jose Urena (2017: 14 – 7, 4.71 ERA, 169.2 IP, 113 SO) has the start for the Marlins in his first career Opening Day start. Urena saw five games in Spring Training, going 2 – 1 in 10.1 innings of work with 8 strikeouts.
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Chicago Cubs (0-0) at Miami Marlins (0-0)
Date: March 29, 2018
Location: Miami, Florida
Ballpark: Marlins Park
Start Time: 12:40pm ET
Channel: WGN (Cubs), Fox Sports Florida (Marlins), ESPN (out of market)
Live Stream: MLB TV and WatchESPN
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The opening series continues at 7:10pm ET on Friday.