Miami Marlins vs Chi. Cubs Picks and Predictions August 25th 2024

Chicago is the heavy favorite heading into this matchup, as they have a money line odds of -171 compared to the Marlins at +144. The over/under line is sitting at 8.5 runs, and this NL matchup can be seen on BSFL.

First pitch from loanDepot Park in Miami is set for 1:40 PM ET, and Javier Assad is starting for the Cubs, while the Marlins are going with Adam Oller. Chicago is currently 65-65, and the Marlins are 46-83, putting them 5th in the NL East. Miami has lost five straight.

Right-hander Javier Assad is getting the start for the Cubs today as he faces the Marlins on the road. He has made 23 starts this season and has a record of 6-3 with a 3.11 ERA. Opponents have put together a batting average of .241 this season against Assad. In his 23 appearances, he has turned in four quality starts and is averaging 7.88 strikeouts per nine innings. In his last outing, Assad picked up the win, going 5 2/3 innings and giving up just one earned run. Before that, he had two straight outings in which he gave up two homers.

Seiya Suzuki has been swinging a hot bat of late for the Cubs, going 9/23 in his last six games with two home runs. Overall, he is batting .271 for the season and is 2nd on the team with 18 homers. Ian Happ and Isaac Paredes are also tied for 2nd on the team in homers, but both have struggled in terms of batting average, coming in at .230 and .227, respectively.

Chicago’s offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game, which is 16th in the league. As a team, they are batting .236, which is also 16th in the MLB. The Cubs have been patient at the plate this season, as they are 6th in walks and have a team on-base percentage of .311.

Adam Oller is making his second start of the season for the Marlins, as he is coming off a loss in his first outing against the Diamondbacks. He went 4 2/3 innings and gave up 5 runs, 2 of which were earned, and struck out 3.

Heading into today’s game, the Marlins are 29th in the league in scoring, averaging just 3.7 runs per game. They have been even worse on the road, averaging only 3.2 runs per contest. As a team, the Marlins are batting .238, which is 15th in the league, and they have the 24th ranked slugging percentage in the league.

Jake Burger has been the Marlins’ top power threat this season, as his 25 home runs are 11th in the league. He also leads the team with 57 RBIs. However, he has struggled at the plate of late, going just 3/24 in his last six games. Connor Norby has gone 6/20 in his last five games, and Cristian Pache has gone 3/9 in his last four games.

Cubs Eye Series Sweep Against Struggling Marlins

The Chicago Cubs are set to go for a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon, following a dominant 14-2 victory on Saturday that brought them back to a .500 record for the first time since June 5. Meanwhile, the Marlins continue to struggle, having lost all five games on their current homestand and holding the worst record in the National League.

Cubs’ Strong Pitching and Balanced Attack

The Cubs will send right-hander Javier Assad (6-3, 3.11 ERA) to the mound for Sunday’s series finale. Assad has been a model of consistency since making his MLB debut in August 2022, maintaining a solid 3.11 ERA this season. In his only career appearance against the Marlins earlier this year, Assad allowed just one run in 4 2/3 innings, earning a no-decision in a close 3-2 loss.

Assad’s reliability as both a starter and reliever has been crucial for the Cubs. His overall career ERA of 3.08 across 64 games, including 41 starts, highlights his effectiveness. Whether pitching at home or on the road, Assad has delivered with near-identical ERAs, proving to be a versatile asset for the Cubs.

Supporting Assad is a strong Cubs bullpen, especially Jorge Lopez, who has been outstanding since joining the team. Lopez has posted a remarkable 0.79 ERA in 20 appearances this season, showcasing his value after a challenging stint with the New York Mets. Cubs manager Craig Counsell praised Lopez, saying, “He’s got his delivery and himself into a place that’s really confident. You’re seeing the really good version of Jorge Lopez.”

Marlins’ Struggles and Focus on Development

On the other side, the Marlins will start right-hander Adam Oller (0-1, 9.64 ERA), who has struggled significantly throughout his career. Oller has a 7.21 ERA in 29 career games, including 16 starts, and has yet to find his footing in the majors. His two previous appearances against the Cubs, both in relief, resulted in an 18.68 ERA, highlighting the challenges he faces.

The Marlins, who traded away several key players before the deadline, are in a rebuilding phase, focusing on giving significant playing time to young prospects. One of these players, third baseman Connor Norby, homered in Saturday’s game, showing flashes of potential.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker emphasized the importance of development during this rebuilding period, saying, “There are a lot of young guys trying to prove themselves. They can’t lack effort. They can’t lack detail.” Schumaker acknowledged the challenges of developing players at the big-league level but remains committed to guiding his young roster through the growing pains.

Cubs and Marlins Prepare for Series Finale

As the Cubs aim for a series sweep and continue their push in the National League standings, they will rely on the steady pitching of Javier Assad and the strength of their bullpen. Meanwhile, the Marlins are focused on development and growth as they navigate a challenging season. Sunday’s game offers the Cubs a chance to build on their momentum, while the Marlins will look to their young talent to show signs of progress.

Our lean for an over/under pick is to take the over, as we have this as the 2nd lowest projected scoring game of the day. As for who is going to take this one straight up, we have our lean on the Cubs to pick up the win. Chicago is 14th in our projections in runs scored, and between the two starters, we have Adam Oller as today’s 8th best strikeout option.