Two National League teams are set to clash at loanDepot park on Saturday afternoon. The Chicago Cubs (63-65; 27-36 away) arrive in South Florida for their annual visit, ready to face off against the Miami Marlins (26-81; 24-42 home). The matchup kicks off at 4:10 p.m. EST. In their previous encounter in April, the teams split the four-game series. What surprises await this weekend?
Team Previews: Cubs and Marlins in Focus
Chicago Cubs Eyeing Playoff Possibilities
The Cubs still hold onto a flicker of hope in the playoff race, sitting 5.5 games back with limited time remaining in the season. Their pursuit of a wild card spot continues as All-Star rookie Shota Imanaga takes the mound. In their previous matchup, he limited the Marlins to just three runs (two earned). This left-handed pitcher boasts a solid 3.11 ERA (2.98 away), a 3.58 FIP, and a 1.073 WHIP in his rookie campaign. The Chicago bullpen has been impressive as well, ranking eighth in ERA, ninth in FIP, and 11th in WAR. What can fans expect from this pitching staff in Miami?
Offensively, the Cubs average 4.20 runs per game, which places them 19th in the league. Their strength lies in a high walk rate, ranking seventh, and their stolen base success, which is eighth best in MLB. However, they struggle in other categories, sitting 23rd in batting average, 17th in on-base percentage, and 21st in both slugging percentage and home runs. With a strikeout rate ranking 17th, the Cubs will need to find ways to capitalize on their opportunities against the Marlins.
Miami Marlins Showcasing Future Talent
The Marlins have faced challenges this season, especially with their rotation not operating at full strength. While their pitching has not been the primary reason for their struggles, it hasn’t been a strong point either. Nonetheless, rookie Valente Bellozo has emerged as a bright spot. In his six career starts, he has surrendered only nine runs, with five coming in a single outing. In his last three games, Bellozo has excelled, allowing just two runs over 18 innings, contributing to three victories for the Marlins. Miami’s bullpen currently ranks fourth in FIP and second in WAR this season. Can Bellozo continue this upward trend on the mound?
The Marlins’ offensive performance has been disappointing, averaging just 3.71 runs per game, which is the second-lowest in the major leagues. Despite trading away several players, the team remains last in walk rate, 28th in on-base percentage, 27th in slugging percentage, and 27th in home runs. While they have 96 stolen bases, they have only a 75% success rate, placing them 24th. Currently, Miami ranks 19th in batting average. Will they be able to generate enough offense to secure a win on Saturday?
Best Bets for Chicago Cubs vs. Miami Marlins
At home, the Marlins have shown a slight improvement, averaging 4.14 runs per game. They have previously managed to score three runs against Imanaga this season, which may be enough to clinch a victory on Saturday.
