The Chicago Cubs (63-85) are on the road to face the Miami Marlins (61-88) at loanDepot park on Wednesday with the three-game series even at 1-1.The Cubs leveled the series 1-1 after winning 2-1 on Tuesday, their third head-to-head victory in five games this season. Reliever Adbert Alzolay threw two scoreless innings to get the win, and Brandon Hughes earned his sixth save with a scoreless ninth. David Bote was 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Jordan Groshans went 2 for 3 with one RBI for the Marlins.
ON THE MOUND
Marcus Stroman (4-7, 3.76 ERA) is set to take the mound for Chicago. The RHP allowed one run over seven innings in his last start, a 2-1 road win over the Rockies on Friday. He was credited with the win, giving up three hits while striking out five and walking two. Stroman is making his first appearance against the Marlins this season. Over four starts against the Marlins in 2021, Stroman was 1-0 with a 2.55 ERA over 17.2 innings. He had 19 strikeouts and three walks. For Miami, lefty Jesus Luzardo (3-7, 3.75 ERA) will take the mound. He has made one prior start against the Cubs this season, holding opposing hitters scoreless over seven innings in a 3-0 road win on August 7. He gave up one hit and walked one, while striking out six in the win. In his last start on Friday, Luzardo took a no-decision on the road against the Nationals. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out six and walking one in the 5-4 loss.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged only 2.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.0, while slashing worse across the board (.211/.262/.342). Against lefties like Luzardo this season, the Cubs have a .700 OPS. Willson Contreras is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a .873 OPS in 99 at-bats. Miami is averaging 4.2 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 3.6 for the season. The Fish have a .674 OPS against right-handers in 2022, fifth lowest in MLB. With a .579 SLG over 310 at-bats, Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been their best power hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 32-41 away from Wrigley Field in 2022, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 4.9 runs. Miami has gone 30-44 at home this season, averaging 3.6 runs per game while surrendering 4.4. The teams have split their last 10 meetings at loanDepot park, though Miami has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.8-4.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cubs are third in the NL Central, 23 games behind the division-leading Cardinals. The Marlins are fourth in the NL East, 33 games behind the Mets.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Miami Marlins (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
