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Cubs searching for answer to Marlin riddle

Sep 27, 2007 - 1:48 PM Chicago Cubs (83-75) at Florida (68-90) 4:05 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs are at the top of the National League Central but are struggling with the NL East cellar-dwelling Florida Marlins.

On Thursday, Cubs look to halt a nine-game skid to the Marlins as the teams conclude their three-game set.

Florida guaranteed itself a series win on Wednesday as they downed the Cubs, 7-4. However, Chicago was able to hold onto its slim two-game lead over second-place Milwaukee (81-77), which also lost. As a result, the Cubs were able to reduce their magic number to three.

To get a much-needed win, Chicago will call on Steve Trachsel (1-2, 7.62 ERA), who will pitch for the first time in exactly two weeks and will be looking for his second straight win after dropping three straight decisions over four starts from August 23-September 9.

He allowed two runs and seven hits over five innings in a 6-2 victory over the Houston Astros on September 13.

In 29 career starts against the Marlins, the righthander is 10-12 with a 3.78 ERA.

The Marlins will counter with Scott Olsen (9-15, 5.88), who will be looking to snap an eight-game winless skid, going 0-6 with a 7.46 ERA in that span. His last outing on Friday was a disastrous one for the lefthander and his defense, as the Marlins committed six errors, leading to Olsen surrendering eight unearned runs and seven hits over five frames.

The 23-year-old has yet to record a decision in three lifetime starts against the Cubs despite maintaining a 3.94 ERA.