The ice-cold Chicago Cubs will try to avoid losing their sixth in a row they play host to the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field. The opening pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET and NBC Sports Chicago will broadcast this NL matchup.
Miami Marlins at Chicago Cubs Odds
The Marlins are 13-20 SU and have gone 16-16 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 0.1 units for moneyline bettors through the early portions of the season, despite having lost 2.7 units ATS. Miami has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in six of those seven. The Cubs, on the other hand, are 16-15 SU and 13-17 ATS. The team’s lost 5.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 3.9 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Chicago games have an over/under record of 13-17 so far in 2018. The Marlins have an over/under record of 14-18.
Jarlin Garcia will get the start for Miami. The left-handed Garcia is 1-0 with a 1.09 ERA and 23 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with six strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA against Chicago this year.
The Cubs are handing the ball to righty Kyle Hendricks (2-2, 3.19 ERA), who has 29 strikeouts and nine walks, as well as a WHIP of 1.09. Hendricks is 0-0 with five strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA against Miami this year.
As a unit, Chicago’s pitching staff has yielded 4.1 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have a 3.96 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has recorded a solid ERA of just 2.74, a WHIP of 1.25 and a K/9 of 8.9.
The Chicago hitters have produced 4.7 runs per outing, including 2.6 per game over its last 10 games and 2.8 per game over their last five. The team has hit .201/.241/.349 over its last five contests and is 0-5 SU during that span.
The Cubs’ batters have been led by second baseman Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant. Baez is slashing .286/.331/.639 with nine home runs, 29 RBIs and 23 runs scored, and Bryant is batting .272 with four homers, 13 RBIs and 15 runs.
Baez performed well against lefties at home last year. Over 58 such plate appearances, he slashed .358/.397/.679 (compared to his total season line of .273/.317/.480).
For the visitors, Miami’s pitching staff allowed 4.8 runs per game and its starters own a 4.23 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 7.98 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.84, along with a WHIP of 1.34.
Marlins hitters have slashed .226/.299/.328 on their way to 3.4 runs scored per game this season, including 4.0 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
First baseman Justin Bour and second baseman Starlin Castro have led Miami’s hitters. Bour is slashing .240/.345/.440 with six home runs, 15 RBIs and 11 runs scored, while Castro (.315/.364/.395) is up to one homers, 16 RBIs and 19 runs scored.
The Marlins have gained 0.2 units and are 12-13 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 10 of those games, as opposed to 15 that’ve hit the under against righty starters. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 2.4 units and are 3-6 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over’s cashed in three of those games, compared to six that went under.
Miami Marlins vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Marlins, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Trends
The Marlins have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit eight over their last 10.
Chicago has posted 16.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 18.0 over its last five.
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