Chicago Cubs vs
Miami MarlinsPredictions & Preview

Cubs Favored to Prevail over Marlins in National League Showdown on Friday Night

The Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins are set to face off in a National League battle on Friday night. Chicago, currently 3rd in the NL Central, is looking to build off a 10-2 win on Thursday but remains 10 ½ games out in their division. The Cubs will have RHP Kyle Hendricks on the mound, while the Marlins, sitting at the bottom of the NL East, will start RHP May Meyer. The game is scheduled to start at 7:10 EST at loanDepot Park. The Cubs are favored to win with a betting line of -120 that has not moved.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cubs -120 | Marlins +110
• Spread: Cubs +1.5 (+140) | Marlins +1.5 (-155)
• Total: Over/Under 8.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Chicago will win straight-up is 55%.

Chicago vs Miami Stats

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs had a successful homestand, winning two out of three games against Detroit to finish 4-2 overall. While they are unlikely to make the playoffs, they have the opportunity to reach a .500 record for the first time since early June. The team's offense has been productive, scoring 44 runs in their last 11 games with several extra-base hits and stolen bases. Miguel Amaya had a standout performance, collecting three hits and driving in five runs in the win over Detroit. The Cubs' pitching staff has also performed well, with a team ERA of 3.43 over the last 11 games. Starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks had a solid outing in his last start, and the bullpen has been reliable with a 3.63 ERA. Additionally, catcher Tomas Nido is expected to return from injury in early September. The Cubs are currently ranked 20th in offense and 9th in defense, with a record of 62-65 this season.

Miami Marlins Analysis

The Miami Marlins are currently struggling in the National League, ranking 29th in offense and 28th in defense. The offense has been performing well, with a .254 batting average and 21 runs scored in their last six games. Leadoff hitter Xavier Edwards has been a standout player, improving his batting average to .345 in 46 games. However, the pitching staff has been a weak point for the team, with a 4.65 team ERA and a 5.92 ERA over the last two weeks. Rookie pitcher Meyer has been struggling, with an 8.38 ERA in his last four starts. The relief corps has been slightly better, with Calvin Faucher excelling in the closers role. In terms of injuries, RHP Sixto Sanchez is preparing for a rehab stint after suffering a shoulder injury. Overall, the Marlins have a power ranking of 27 and a record of 46-81, with Chicago winning 2 out of their last 3 matchups against Miami.

Cubs Favored to Win Against Struggling Marlins Pitcher

In their previous meeting back in April, the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins split a four-game series. Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks struggled in one of those matchups, contributing to a 6-3 loss. However, Hendricks has improved significantly since that time, allowing three runs or less in 13 of his last 15 outings. He will now face a different Marlins lineup. Hendricks has also secured wins in his last two road starts. On the other hand, Marlins pitcher Dan Meyer has struggled in August, giving up at least four earned runs in each of his four recent starts. With a 5.48 ERA in four home starts this year, Meyer faces a challenging task against a Cubs offense capable of producing strong results. Therefore, based on recent performance and lineup matchups, the Cubs are favored to win this game.

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