In the second of a three-game series between the Miami Marlins (20-32) and the Chicago Cubs (20-32) at Marlins Park, Brad Hand (0-1, 4.50 ERA) and Kyle Hendricks (1-1, 3.76 ERA) get the start. The Cubs won the last game 5-1 and Chicago leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jun. 2 and will air on CSN-CHI, FSN-FL and MLB Netw.
In his most recent outing, Hand pitched 5.0 innings, giving up zero runs and striking out two in a 5-2 loss to the Pirates. Giancarlo Stanton (.228, 30 Rs, 15 HRs, 44 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and one stolen base. The Cubs were unsuccessful the last time Hendricks pitched. He pitched well, going, going 7.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out four and walking two in a 3-2 loss to the Nationals. Anthony Rizzo (.316, 27 Rs, 9 HRs, 30 RBIs, 9 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Miami is a slight underdog (-102) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. The Marlins have a losing record of 10-15 when playing as the underdog and an overall money line of -1,265.
Switching to the opposing bench, the Cubs come into this game with a win percentage of .567 when playing as the favorite (17-13) and an overall money line of +91. The Cubs have racked up 43 steals on the year, making them one of the most threatening base-running teams in the league. Switching gears to Chicago’s pitching staff, they have the fifth-lowest ERA in the NL at 3.66. They have a WHIP of 1.19 on the year, good for fifth in the league. The Chicago pitching staff has been an intimidating group this year, averaging an NL-best 8.8 strikeouts per game.
So far this season, the Cubs are 1-0 against the Marlins. This game will feature Hendricks (RHP) on the mound against the Marlins, who have a 14-28 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The left-handed Hand will take the mound against the Cubs, who have a 4-3 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC, O/U – Over
Notes
Miami has won 33% (8-16) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Chicago has won 57% (13-10) of its games when taking a late lead.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Marlins are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Cubs have a 10-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
It looks like the Cubs have a slight leg up on the Marlins, as the Cubs have won their last two games while the Marlins have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Marlins are 16-10. The Cubs have a 16-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Both falling near the bottom of the league based on total runs this season, Miami ranks 22nd with 195 runs and Chicago is 21st with 200.
Ranking 22nd, Miami is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 125 this season. Chicago ranks in the top five at fifth with 172.
When the Marlins hit at least one home run, they are 10-17. When the Cubs hit at least one homer, they have a 19-10 record.
