Jose Urena (0-1, 9.39 ERA) and Kyle Hendricks (1-1, 3.76 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Miami Marlins (20-31) and the Chicago Cubs (26-22) at Marlins Park. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Jun. 1 and can be seen on CSN-CHI and FSN-FL.
Urena pitched 4.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering five runs, striking out three and walking one in a 5-1 defeat to the Pirates. Dee Gordon (.377, 29 Rs, 14 RBIs, 20 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4. Hendricks went 7.0 innings, surrendering one run, striking out four and walking two in a 3-2 defeat to the Nationals in his last outing. Anthony Rizzo (.318, 27 Rs, 9 HRs, 29 RBIs, 9 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Cubs, going 2 for 5 yesterday.
Chicago takes on Miami as a -130 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at seven runs. The Marlins have an overall money line of -1,165 and a record as the underdog of 10-14.
In games where it is the favorite, Chicago has a 16-13 record and an overall money line of -9. The Cubs are an excellent base stealing team with 43 stolen bases, ranking third in the MLB. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Cubs are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.19 for the season. The Cubs have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an NL-best 8.8 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Marlins have a bad 14-27 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Hendricks takes the mound. Urena (RHP) will be on the hill against the Cubs, who have a 21-19 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC, O/U – Over
Notes
Miami has won 35% (8-15) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Chicago has won 55% (12-10) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Marlins are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Cubs have a 1-6 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Marlins are 3-19. The Cubs have a 6-18 record when opponents outhit them.
Miami ranks near the bottom of the league at 26th when it comes to home runs, hitting 37 this season. Chicago ranks in the top half at 14th with 48.
Ranking 10th, Chicago is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.23 per game. Miami ranks in the top five at fifth with 8.86.
Ranking 23rd, Miami is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.680). Chicago ranks in the bottom half at 18th with an OPS of .703.
When the Cubs allow at least one home run, they are 15-16. When the Marlins allow one or more homers, they have a 9-17 record.
