Marlins upset Cubs to advance to NLDS vs. Braves

The Miami Marlins remain undefeated in a postseason series.

The Marlins beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0 in Game 2 and will now face the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series, beginning Tuesday.

Rookie right-hander Sixto Sanchez threw five scoreless innings, and first baseman Garrett Cooper smacked a tie-breaking home run in the seventh to help Miami soar to victory.

NL Cy Young candidate Yu Darvish was untouchable until the wheels came off in the seventh. Altogether, he allowed two runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts in the losing effort.

The Cubs threatened in the ninth as Jason Heyward hit a leadoff double, but Marlins closer Brandon Kintzler recorded three straight strikeouts to end the game. Additionally, both Javier Baez and David Bote went down looking.

"There was a lot of emotions," Kintzler said, according to Wells Dusenberry of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "Everything that leads up to that out, that inning, this game. This year. Obviously we're not done, but there are just so many emotions. We've been screwed around all year with scheduling, fake rain delays, and fake postponements and it's just been a friggin' (whirlwind) and basically everyone trying to screw with us.

"And just to get the last out right there, 'We're still here. You can't get rid of us.'"

Chicago's most high-profile members especially failed to deliver during the two-game sweep. Baez, Anthony Rizzo, and Kris Bryant combined to go 1-for-24 as Chicago mustered just one run against the Marlins' hurlers.

The win marks the seventh straight series victory for Miami. If they can win the NLDS, the Marlins will match the Minneapolis Lakers for the longest playoff series winning streak to open a franchise across MLB, NBA, and NHL.

Miami will remain the underdogs against the NL East-winning Braves. The Marlins went 4-6 and were outscored 68-44 by Atlanta during the 2020 season.