Chicago Cubs Open Series at Home with Miami Marlins
Major League Baseball on Monday heads to the Windy City when the Miami Marlins visit the Chicago Cubs for the first game of a three-game series. The current line has Chicago favored at -175, with Miami on +161 and the over/under run total not yet released.
Miami entering this game has a record on the season of 57-48 overall and 28-24 on the road. The Marlins are 5-5 over their past 10 games played. Chicago entering this game is 64-41 overall and 34-17 at home. The Cubs are 6-4 over their past 10 games played.
Miami will send Adam Conley to the mound on Monday. The Marlins left-hander is 7-5 with an ERA of 3.38 on the season. Chicago will counter with Kyle Hendricks. The Cubs right-hander is 9-7 with an ERA of 2.39 this season.
Chicago is coming off a come from behind win on Sunday to defeat Seattle and extend its lead in the NL Central to 7 ½ games. The Cubs pitching staff allowed three two-run home runs during the first three innings of play but the Cubs rallied to win 7-6 in the 12th inning.
Ben Zobrist currently has a five-game hitting streak for the Cubs and has three games with multiple hits during the streak. The Cubs have won 4 of their first 5 games of their current eight-game home stand. Chicago is 8-3 over its past 11 games at home.
Miami was 5-2 over a recent seven-game road trip. It starts a six-game road swing today in Chicago. The Marlins ended July with a 10-game home stand in which they are 5-5. The Miami offense has returned with 42 runs scored over its past six games after two straight losses by shutouts.
Miami won on Sunday 5-4 over the St. Louis Cardinals on a ninth inning triple by Derek Dietrich with two outs and owns a lead of one game over the Cardinals for the second wild card spot in the NL.
Miami outfielder Ichiro Suzuki is two hits shy of 3,000 entering this series.
Chicago shortstop Addison Russell knocked in two runs on Sunday, which gives him 7 RBIs during the five games of Chicago’s current home stand.
Miami placed Colin Rea a just acquired pitcher on the disabled list due to a right elbow problem.
Prediction: Chicago is playing very well as are the Marlins, but playing at home has done wonders for the Cubs. Lean toward the home team here.
