Miami Marlins (16-14) vs. Chicago Cubs (15-14)
May 5, 2023 2:20 pm EDT
The Line: Chicago Cubs -160 / Miami Marlins +142 ; Over/Under: -
(Get latest betting odds)
The Miami Marlins and the Chicago Cubs meet Friday in MLB action from Wrigley Field. The Marlins are coming off a series versus the Braves. After losses in the first two games of that set, on Thursday Miami fell again for the sweep. As for Chicago, they played the Nationals this week. The Cubs lost two of the first three games against Washington. In the finale Chicago lost a close outcome. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Miami Marlins
The Marlins fell 6-0 to the Braves on Tuesday, then lost again 14-6 in the Wednesday matchup. In the finale Miami had a brief 2-1 lead early but ended up falling 6-3 after allowing 12 hits. Jesus Luzardo finished with 5.2 innings in the start with three earned on seven hits and three walks.
For the starter job in the Friday game it’ll be Edward Cabrera for the Marlins. In his six starts this year Cabrera is 2-2 with a 4.67 ERA and 36 Ks in 27.0 innings. Cabrera has a career record of 8-9 with a 3.96 ERA in 27 starts.
Chicago Cubs
Over on the Cubs’ side, they beat the Nationals 5-1 Monday but then lost the next pair 4-1 and 2-1. On Thursday Chicago tied the game up in the eighth inning but ultimately lost on a walk-off 4-3. Starting pitcher Jameson Taillon lasted 3.0 innings with three earned on three hits.
As starting pitcher in the Friday matchup, Chicago will send out Justin Steele. Over his six starts so far Steele is 4-0 with a 1.49 ERA and 32 Ks in 36.1 innings of work. Steele is 12-11 with a 3.18 career ERA in 50 games (39 starts).
The Marlins are 5-0 in the last five versus the NL Central and 34-71 in their last 105 in game one of a series. Miami is 17-35 in their last 52 Friday games.
Meanwhile, the Cubs are 20-8 in their last 28 in game one of a series and 15-3 in their last 18 Friday games. The under is 38-18-6 in Chicago’s last 62 in game one of a series.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll take a stab on the Marlins here. Cabrera has had some ups and downs over his last three starts, but he’s been mostly solid. In that time Cabrera is 2-1 with 15.1 combined innings, eight earned, 13 hits and 11 walks. He should at least flirt with a quality start in this opener. On Thursday Miami was in the game until late, but to be honest they didn’t play very well. The Marlins committed three errors and didn’t get a ton of offensive production outside of Jon Berti and Jorge Soler. Still, if Cabrera can post an encouraging outing here I think Miami has a decent shot at a victory.
