Jameson Taillon entered Tuesday night’s game against the Miami Marlins with a pervading thought in mind.

This is a big one.

Context added importance to a non-division game in mid-May, and it required something more from the 33-year-old Chicago Cubs right-hander.

The bullpen was taxed. Porter Hodge was headed to the injured list. And the Cubs were walked off Monday despite the Marlins being down to their last strike. Blown opportunity pervaded throughout the day and threatened to turn one bad result into two.

Taillon understood his assignment. He couldn’t let that happen.

“I do like the feeling of showing up to the yard knowing, ‘This is an important one,’ ” he said. “I can not only have a good game for the team and answer back after last night, but I can also be a good teammate and help out the relievers, who I respect a lot.

“I definitely had that conversation with myself in my head. This was a big day to go out there and be a good teammate. I like that responsibility.”

That showed. Taillon pitched seven solid innings, allowing a single run on four hits in a 14-1 win over the Marlins at loanDepot Park. The offensive production likely would’ve secured victory no matter what, but if Taillon doesn’t go deep into the game, the bullpen doesn’t receive the rest it desperately needed.

The Cubs starter was efficient in the early going, which set up the quality start that helped his teammates.  

“I stayed out of the dangerous part of the zone and used the entire arsenal,” Taillon told reporters after the game. “It was going pretty good, and then once I got spotted a lead, it was time to fill it up.”

The offense gave Taillon a massive one following an eight-run sixth inning. Then he hammered the strike zone and recorded efficient outs.

Chris Flexen threw two innings of relief, which was ideal considering he hadn’t pitched since May 13. Everyone else in the ‘pen was allowed to take a breather.

This game went according to script — a vital development for a team that has an afternoon game Wednesday before a Thursday off day. Taillon was effective getting swings early in the count, using an expanded pitch mix that also included sweepers and two-strike changeups. The Marlins made contact, but they didn’t hit it hard. In fact, just two swings all night produced 100-plus-mph exit velocity.

Taillon made it through seven innings on 87 pitches and did his job well.

“At a time when we really needed it, we got good pitching and the offense to support it,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “We were a little tight in the bullpen, and those guys have been working hard. And the guy who needed to pitch (Flexen) we got some innings for. Credit to Jameo for giving us seven strong innings. Credit to the offense for creating a big lead and having a great night.”