The Miami Marlins (16-18) wrap up a 3-game road series with the Chicago Cubs (17-16) Sunday. First pitch from Wrigley Field is at 2:20 ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Marlins vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Marlins lead 3-2
The Cubs won 4-2 Saturday. Chicago entered the 8th inning down 2-1 before 3B Nick Madrigal hit a 2-run single to secure the victory and get the home team within 1 game from a series sweep. Chicago has only swept the lowly Oakland Athletics so far this season but has rebounded nicely since returning home Friday after a 1-6 road trip.
The Marlins have dropped 5 straight games since a 3-game sweep of the Cubs between April-28-30. They were swept by the Braves before coming to Wrigley Field but they can still get it done and manufacture runs with above-average base stealing.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Marlins at Cubs projected starters
RHP Sandy Alcantara vs. RHP Hayden Wesneski
Alcantara (1-3, 5.09 ERA) makes his 7th start. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 through 35 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 3 B, 5 K vs. Atlanta Braves Tuesday
- .315 OBA when the batter swings at the 1st pitch and .190 OBA when batters take the 1st pitch in 2023
Wesneski (2-1, 4.45 ERA) makes his 7th start. He has a 1.38 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 5.4 K/9 through 28 1/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 2 K at Washington Nationals Tuesday
- 1.97 WHIP at home vs 1.02 WHIP on the road
Marlins at Cubs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Marlins -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Cubs -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Marlins -1.5 (+150) | Cubs +1.5 (-185)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW23 for $15 OFF a full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 9/30/2023. Subscribe today and start winning!
Marlins at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Marlins 4, Cubs 1
Moneyline
The Marlins haven’t had trouble making contact but they have been unlucky on the base paths. Miami has grounded into a league-leading 35 double plays.
Miami has only been swept once this season and prevented a sweep twice in a series finale.
BET MARLINS (-115).
Run line/Against the spread
The Marlins are tied for the league’s 2nd worst run line covering percentage, going 12-22 ATS (35.3%), they are a league-worst 6-9 ATS (40.0%) on the road and are the 2nd worst in the league after a loss (5-12 ATS, 29.4%).
AVOID.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under
The Marlins’ recent trends lean toward the Over. They are 4-0 in their last 4 road games against a right-hander and 5-0 in their last 5 vs. a starter with at least a 1.30 WHIP.
However, I’m skeptical about Sunday’s Over. Miami is not an offensive juggernaut, scoring an MLB-worst 3.3 runs per game, and the Cubs have gone Under 4 games in a row after a win.
LEAN UNDER 7.5 (-115).
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Ethan Matthew on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]