MONTE HARRISON

Corey Dickerson hit a three-run homer off a fading Hendricks in the seventh inning, and Miami beat the Chicago Cubs 5-1 on Wednesday in Game 1 of their NL wild-card series. The Marlins, who rallied past the Cubs in a memorable NLCS that year, have never lost a playoff series. This year's Marlins weren't supposed to make the playoffs, not after losing 105 games in 2019 and dealing with a coronavirus outbreak early this season. Yu Darvish starts for the Central champion Cubs, and rookie right-hander Sixto Sánchez get the ball for upstart Miami. “It’s going to be great.”Darvish is making his first playoff appearance since signing with Chicago before the 2018 season.

Miami Marlins' Francisco Cervelli celebrates with teammates after hitting a three-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK Francisco Cervelli hit a three-run homer, Humberto Mejia impressed in his abbreviated major league debut and the Miami Marlins kept up their surprising surge, beating the New York Mets 4-3 Friday night. The Marlins won their sixth in a row and improved to 7-1 theyre 5-0 since missing more than a week because of the teams coronavirus outbreak. Miami has won despite already using 43 players, including 25 pitchers, to maintain a full roster amid COVID-19 concerns. ROSTER MOVESThe Marlins moved RHP Jorge Guzman to their taxi squad after he made his major league debut Thursday.

Miami Marlins' Francisco Cervelli (29) greets Jesus Aguilar, back, after they both scored on a Brian Anderson single during the third inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Miami Marlins' Brian Anderson, center, Eddy Alvarez, left, and Jonathan Villar (2) celebrate after a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Baltimore. I dont know.For the Marlins, this season has been a bit of a blur. In fact, at 6-1 they have the best record in baseball, staging a one-year turnaround not seen since the 1899 St. Louis Perfectos. Were ready to win games, rookie outfielder Monte Harrison said. It should also be noted that the 1899 Perfectos faded after their fast start to a fifth-place finish in the National League.

(AP Photo/Nick Wass)BALTIMORE Jonathan Villar hit a first-pitch leadoff homer to spark a robust offensive performance by the Miami Marlins, who beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-7 Thursday night to complete a startling four-game sweep and make Don Mattingly the winningest manager in franchise history. In their first three wins in the series, Miami relied on exceptional pitching in victories by scores of 4-0, 1-0 and 2-1. NO STARCHKintzler found an alternate use for the ironing board in his hotel room while being quarantined in Philadelphia. I needed to figure out how I could simulate a workout, so I got the ironing board out and started taking the tops off the coffee tables," Kintzler revealed Thursday. They were heavy stones, so I would add them to the ironing board and carry it around like a front rack.

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Elieser Hernandez throws a pitch to the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning in game one of a baseball double-header, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)BALTIMORE Five pitchers combined on a four-hitter for Don Mattingly's undermanned, gritty and first-place Miami Marlins, who beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 Wednesday night for a doubleheader sweep. The sweep kept the Marlins atop the NL East and earned Mattingly his 281st win as Miami's manager, tying Jack McKeon's club record. Not only were both games seven innings apiece, but the Orioles were the home team in the opener and the Marlins served as hosts in the nightcap. Orioles: Wade LeBlanc (1-0) makes his third start of the season after turning in a solid performance against Tampa Bay on Saturday.

MIAMI Scrambling for replacements following a coronavirus outbreak, the Miami Marlins added a Moran, a Morin, two pitchers named Josh Smith and a former Olympic medalist in speedskating. The Marlins' revamped pitching staff includes right-hander Mike Morin and left-hander Brian Moran, and right-hander Josh A. Smith and left-hander Josh D. Smith, all recently acquired veterans. Replacements included seven newly acquired players, and 11 players from the team's alternate training site. The virus infected 21 members of the Marlins' traveling party and forced the suspension of their season July 26 after just three games. We expect to win games, Hill said.

Miami Marlins catcher Francisco Cervelli, center, reacts he engages with teammates in a social distant celebration after defeating the Baltimore Orioles 4-0 during a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)BALTIMORE After enduring one final delay in their effort to return from an eight-day, coronavirus-induced hiatus, the Miami Marlins found enough power and pitching within their vastly overhauled roster to beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-0 Tuesday night. After the final out, the Marlins lined up and did air high-fives in which they didnt make contact with their hands. In this anything goes, wacky baseball season, Miami will be the home team for the final two games of this four-game series. Orioles: Alex Cobb (1-0, 2.89 ERA) gets his third start of the season, followed by Asher Wojciechowski (0-1, 7.20).