MLB Betting Preview: Miami Marlins at Chicago Cubs
We typically try to avoid ‘bad versus bad’ matchups during the late stages of the Major League Baseball season but this game looks like it might have potential from a betting standpoint. It sure doesn’t have any ‘postseason implications’ as a pair of last place teams go head to head as the Miami Marlins travel to Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs. The Marlins are in last place in the NL East and enter this contest having lost 8 of their last 10 games. Chicago is in last place in the NL Central and have lost 6 of their last 10 games.
Miami will start righthander Henderson Alverez who is a serviceable enough pitcher with a 3.98 ERA in 11 starts this season. That hasn’t helped the Marlins much as they’ve managed to lose 8 of his 11 assignments this season. He’s got a road ERA of 3.71 which isn’t that bad but his teammates haven’t helped him out here either and Miami has lost 4 of his 5 road games. He’s been in awful form in his most recent outings (so has the rest of his team) and he’s put up a 6.48 ERA in his last three starts-all Miami losses.
The Cubs will respond with lefthander Travis Wood and he could blossom into a solid Major League pitcher in the next few seasons. He’s put up a respectable 3.09 ERA overall this season though the Cubs have managed to lose 17 of his 27 starts. His home ERA is 3.42 with the Cubbies losing 11 of Wood’s 16 assignments. They’ve also lost 2 of Wood’s last 3 games with the southpaw putting up a 3.79 ERA. He could be poised for a big day against a Marlins team that has put up pitiful offensive numbers on the road this season and particularly against left handed pitchers. Away from home Miami is hitting .225 and averaging 2.6 runs per game. Against lefthanders they’re hitting .220 and averaging 2.4 runs per game.
Chicago is nothing special but they’ve already taken 3 of 4 from the Marlins this season and still show a bit of enthusiasm on the field despite their dismal play. They even have a small goal to play for-they’re one game behind the 4th place Milwaukee Brewers and have a very realistic chance of finishing out of last place.
BET CHICAGO CUBS (WOOD) -140 OVER MIAMI MARLINS (ALVEREZ)