The Florida Marlins continue their seven game road swing tonight as they meet the Cubs in the Windy City. Florida, who is coming off a series win against the Mets in New York, will attempt to win their third straight game when they battle Chicago at 8:05pm ET this evening.
Florida Marlins vs Chicago Cubs MLB Picks at Sportsbook.com have the Cubs listed as a slight -115 moneyline favorite. The game total is set at 9.5 with both the over and under getting -110 odds.
The Marlins were able to win the last two games of their series with the Mets, ending a seven game skid and helping them stay atop the NL East with a 13-8 record. Despite going just 3-7 in their last 10 ball games, the Fish have a game and a half lead over the second place Phillies. They are 8-4 in road action this season.
Florida came away from Citi Field yesterday with a 4-3 victory after scoring two runs in the top of the eighth. Cody Ross hit a single off of J.J. Putz that scored Jorge Cantu and Jeremy Hermida. Cantu, who hit two home runs in the Marlins 7-4 win on Tuesday, also sent one deep in the first inning off of Johan Santana.
Starter Josh Johnson worked six innings in the victory; he allowed nine hits and three earned runs in improving his record to 2-0.
The Cubs come into this evening's affair sporting a 10-10 record. They have lost five of their last seven games, and as a result, are in fifth place in the NL Central standings. Chicago, who is four games back of the first place Cardinals, is 4-4 at Wrigley Field this year.
Chicago was humiliated 10-0 yesterday by the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix. The Cubbies two hit, zero run effort reduced their runs per game average to 3.63 over the last 10 games. Arizona starter Doug Davis went seven innings in the game and struck out seven, a startling contrast to Ryan Dempster's outing. Dempster gave up six hits and five earned runs in six innings.
The Marlins are sending 22 year old Chris Volstad to the mound tonight. Volstad has been outstanding in four starts this year, garnering a 2-0 record to go along with a 2.70 ERA. The right hander worked seven innings in his last game, giving up four hits and two earned runs in a 6-4 loss to the Phillies.
Florida went 1-1 in Volstad's two starts against the Cubs last season. The Palm Beach Gardens native yielded four earned runs over 12 innings in the two outings.
Chicago will counter Volstad with left handed hurler Sean Marshall. Marshall is 0-1 in two starts this season with a 4.50 ERA. The Cubs are 0-2 in his starting nods and they went 1-3 against the Marlins when Marshall took the hill against them in 2008.
Sportsbook.com Florida Marlins vs Chicago Cubs MLB Picks:
Florida Marlins +1.5 (-190), Over 9.5 (-110), +105 (Moneyline)
Chicago Cubs -1.5 (+165), Under 9.5 (-110), -115 (Moneyline)
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