Andrew Cashner (4-8, 4.96 ERA) and Carlos Rodon (2-8, 4.49 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Miami Marlins (60-54) and the Chicago White Sox (54-60) at Marlins Park. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 12 and can be seen on CSCh and FSFL.
Cashner pitched 0.1 inning in his most recent start, surrendering zero runs in an 8-7 defeat to the Giants. Marcell Ozuna (.285, 60 Rs, 19 HRs, 59 RBIs) went 1 for 3 Wednesday. Rodon went 6.0 innings, surrendering two, striking out seven and walking two in a 4-2 win over the Orioles in his last outing. Melky Cabrera (.301, 47 Rs, 9 HRs, 53 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 4 yesterday.
Miami is a -149 favorite against Chicago and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Marlins have an overall money line of +310 and a record as the favorite of 29-26. In interleague play, they have had a discouraging season, earning 1-3 and 4-7 records as the favorite and SU, respectively. The Marlins have seen an uptick in scoring against teams in the AL, averaging 5.5 runs per game. They average 4.3 runs per game on the season. The Marlins lead the NL in hits with an impressive 9.4 per game. Crossing over to the pitching and defensive side, it’s been a struggle for opposing teams to score runs against the Marlins. The 3.8 runs that Miami’s pitchers allow per home game makes them the fifth-ranked NL staff at home.
Over in the other dugout, Chicago is coming in with an overall money line of -618 and a disappointing record of 24-36 as the underdog. Chicago is 5-4 as the underdog and 6-7 SU against teams in the NL. Offensively, the White Sox have really sputtered in interleague games. They have decreased their season average of 4.0 runs per game by averaging 3.3 in those contests. Moving on to Chicago’s pitching staff and defense, the White Sox allow just four runs per road game, ranking them fifth in the AL.
The Marlins have a great 10-3 record at home (19-7 overall) against left-handed starting pitchers, which is what they’ll be facing when Rodon takes the mound. Cashner (RHP) will be on the hill against the White Sox, who have a 43-49 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – MIA, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Chicago is 26-25, while Miami is 25-25.
Having scored one run in their last game, the White Sox are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Marlins have a 21-1 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the White Sox are 39-10. The Marlins have a 50-12 record when outhitting opponents.
Both falling near the bottom of the league based on total runs this season, Miami ranks 21st with 487 runs and Chicago is 26th with 452.
Miami and Chicago both rank near the bottom of the league in walks. Miami sits at 22nd with 326 this season and Chicago ranks 23rd with 324.
When the Marlins hit at least one home run, they are 43-26. When the White Sox hit at least one homer, they have a 40-34 record.
