The Chicago Cubs (14-10) take one of the best lineups in the league on the road to face the Miami Marlins (13-13) at loanDepot park on Friday to open a three-game series.
The Cubs are embarking on a seven-game road trip after closing out a seven-game homestand (3-4). They won two out of three in their last series against the Padres, taking the finale 5-2 on Thursday at Wrigley Field.
Dansby Swanson was 2 for 4 with a solo home run. Nelson Velazquez added a solo home run. The Marlins are back home for a six-game homestand after returning from a seven-game road trip (3-4).
They lost three of four against the Braves in their last series, taking the finale 5-4 on Thursday at Truist Park. Jean Segura went 2 for 4 with a double and one run. Avisail Garcia added one RBI on one hit.The teams are meeting for the first time this season.
Last season, the Cubs won four of the six games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at loanDepot park in September.
ON THE MOUND
Left-hander Jesus Luzardo (2-1, 3.62 ERA) will toe the rubber for Miami. Luzardo made two appearances against the Cubs in 2022, both as the starter, striking out 17 and walking two over 13.2 innings (1-0, 0.66).
In his last start on Sunday, Luzardo took the loss on the road against the Guardians. He threw 4.1 innings and gave up four runs on eight hits, striking out six and walking one in the 7-4 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Chicago offense is averaging 5.6 runs per game for the season, third best in MLB, with a slash line of .276/.347/.443. Four Cubs hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Patrick Wisdom (.954).
The shortstop is slashing .241/.315/.639 with nine home runs, 18 RBIs, and 19 runs over 22 games. Over the last five games, though, Chicago has averaged only 4.2 runs a game while slashing worse across the board (.216/.291/.389). Against lefties like Luzardo this season, the Cubs have ann .807 OPS.
Yan Gomes is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a 1.192 OPS in 24 at-bats. Miami is slashing .241/.300/.385 for the season and averaging 3.3 runs per game, second lowest in the league. Luis Arraez leads the team with a 1.035 OPS. The third baseman has one home run, nine RBIs, and nine runs scored with a slash line of .421/.482/.553.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is on a four-game winning streak away from Wrigley Field, bringing their record to 6-2 in 2023. The Cubs have scored 7.0 runs per game away from home, while allowing 2.6 runs.
Miami has gone 7-6 at loanDepot park this season, averaging 2.5 runs per game while surrendering 3.7. In the last 10 games at loanDepot park between the teams, each club has won five, though Miami has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.5-4.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cubs are third in the NL Central, three games behind the division-leading Pirates. The Marlins are third in the NL East, five games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Chicago Cubs (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
