Florida @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( May 19, 2011 ) Chi. Cubs 5, Florida 1

THE STORY: Two clubs looking to put a lackluster first half in the rear-view mirror meet Thursday when Florida travels to Chicago for the first of a four-game series with the Cubs. The Marlins went into the All-Star break on an upswing but are still looking to climb out of the hole created by an embarrassing June. The Cubs, meanwhile, have stayed out of the National League Central basement only by virtue of sharing the division with lowly Houston, the only team in baseball with a worse record.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS-F, CSN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Matt Garza (4-7, 4.26) vs. Marlins RH Anibal Sanchez (6-2, 3.58) --

Garza lost his best outing of the year in a 1-0 duel with the White Sox and Philip Humber on July 2, pitching his first complete game of 2011 and allowing just one run on four hits. He didn't fare nearly as well in a July 7 game at Washington, avoiding the decision despite giving up seven runs (six earned) in just two innings. He is 3-1 with a 5.09 ERA in four career starts against the Marlins, all during his time with Tampa Bay. Current Florida players are 12-for-44 (.273) against Garza.

Sanchez had put together an outstanding first half, going 6-1 with a 2.82 ERA from April through June, before being knocked around in his two July starts (7 2/3 IP, 13 H, 12 ER, 7 BB, 3 HR). Prior to those back-to-back struggles, he had turned in four consecutive quality starts, giving up seven earned runs in 26 2/3 innings of work. He is 1-2 with a 6.91 ERA with an ugly WHIP of 2.16 in three career starts against the Cubs, including a loss last Sept. 18.

ABOUT THE CUBS (37-55): The root of Chicago's first-half problems isn't hard to find — the club ranks 28th in the majors with a 4.62 ERA, last in WHIP (1.47) and last in quality starts (34). Ten different pitchers have started games, but injuries can hardly be blamed — nobody with more than one start has an ERA under 4.02, and the starters own a combined ERA of 5.29. The Cubs, who still have not won more than two games in a row this season, are second in the National League in batting (.263), but just eighth in runs scored (375).

ABOUT THE MARLINS (43-48): Florida was 29-19 on May 26 before a massive freefall that saw it drop 26 of its next 31 games, including an embarrassing 1-19 stretch that prompted manager Edwin Rodriguez to resign. Since the return of 80-year-old skipper Jack McKeon, the team has righted the ship somewhat, winning its last five games before the All-Star break. The Marlins have stayed afloat despite a rough first half for SS Hanley Ramirez, who is batting just .242 and has committed 13 errors. RF Mike Stanton, 21, leads the club with 18 homers and 51 RBIs.

FINAL PITCH: The Cubs have the dubious distinction of drawing the fewest walks (223) of any team in the majors while allowing the most (349).