The Miami Marlins and Chicago Cubs will play the middle frame of a three-game series on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Miami took the opener 8-2 on Tuesday after erupting for six runs in the top of the 12th inning. That dropped the Cubs into a three-way tie for the top wild-card spot in the National League.
With Wednesday's contest set for 7:40 pm ET on MLB TV, it’s time to break down the matchup and discuss the best bets to make.
Marlins vs. Cubs betting picks and predictions
Cubs ML (-180)
Motivation is high in the Windy City, especially after losing Tuesday’s game in extra innings. Chicago’s magic number to clinch a postseason spot is one. That ultimate goal, of course, is all but a sure thing. However, the Cubs would really like to secure the No. 1 wild card in the National League and play a home series in round one.
Chicago should be well positioned to take another step in that effort on Wednesday. Kevin Gausman is taking the mound for the home side in this one; he is a veteran who has a history of pitching in big games.
Gausman’s numbers may not be anything special (9-12, 4.55 ERA), but two of his last three starts have been solid – 7.0 innings of one-run baseball against Milwaukee on September 3 and just two runs allowed in 5.2 innings with six strikeouts and zero walks last Tuesday against Atlanta.
At 77-80 and eliminated from playoff contention, Miami is simply playing out the string. This is not the NFL or NBA in which teams blatantly tank for better draft picks, but the bottom line is that the Marlins are not playing for anything at all.
And it’s not like they are trying to play the spoiler role for a division rival. The Fish did well to win a thriller on Tuesday night; the rest of the series should belong to the Cubs.
Under 6.5 (-120)
Miami is countering with Ryan Gusto, who is 1-5 with a 4.14 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. Gusto previously faced the Cubs on September 5 when he surrendered five runs on 10 hits and two walks through 4.2 innings of work en route to a 6-5 loss. The 27-year-old righty comes in with a 4.42 road ERA compared to a 3.91 mark at home.
Both offenses are in decent enough form at the moment. Over the last 10 games, Chicago is averaging 5.7 runs with a .262 batting average; Miami is averaging 4.6 runs with a .244 average.
It’s hard to explain why the total (6.5) is so low for this particular matchup. As such, the obvious value is on the over.
Seiya Suzuki Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs (-115)
Seiya Suzuki is on a four-game hitting streak and has hit safely in six of his last seven contests. During this stretch he has delivered two multi-hit performances, including two base knocks with a double and a run scored during Tuesday’s loss.
The Cubs’ right fielder homered in the series finale against Cincinnati this past Sunday, his 25th of the year.
More success should be in line against Gusto, as Suzuki is 2-for-4 lifetime with a home run in this matchup.
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Marlins vs. Cubs odds
Miami Marlins | +150 |
Chicago Cubs | -180 |
Run Line | CHI Cubs -1.5 |
Total | O/U 6.5 |
Marlins vs. Cubs player props
Player Home Run Odds
Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHI Cubs) | +425 |
Kyle Stowers (MIA Marlins) | +500 |
Heriberto Hernandez (MIA Marlins) | +550 |
Seiya Suzuki (CHI Cubs) | +650 |
Griffin Conine (MIA Marlins) | +700 |
Ian Happ (CHI Cubs) | +750 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
