Chicago Cubs (3-7) vs Miami Marlins (4-6)
The first 10 games have gone about as well as expected for the Cubs. Yes Theo Epstein is guiding the ship but he can’t overhaul this wreck in just one offseason.
Chicago Cubs (3-7) vs Miami Marlins (4-6)
Wednesday April 18
Marlins Stadium – Miami, FL
7:10PM
Moneyline: Miami -120, Chicago +110
O/U: 7
PITCHING MATCHUP: Chicago RH Matt Garza (1-0, ERA 1.23), Miami LH Mark Buehrle (0-2, ERA 3.65).
Chicago
This is a team with a weak lineup and not enough pitching to challenge in the National League Central. They have a couple of starters who can dominate but the bullpen gives you nightmares and their best hitter is being pigeon holed into a run producing slot even though that is not his thing.
One of those dominant starters is going against the Marlins Wednesday. Matt Garza has always had great stuff and is off to a good start.
That should be no surprise as April is when he is usually most dominant (striking out more than a batter/IP for his career). Garza usually prefers home cooking though.
There is no book on him in the Marlins new home obviously and his numbers against Los Marlins are just average for his career (3.90 ERA). [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Miami
The Marlins have also struggled out of the gate albeit under different expectations. Acquisitions and the new stadium raised them quite a bit but are so far yielding little.
New shortstop Jose Reyes has yet to get untracked and there is no telling where this team would be without utilityman Omar Infante and his 4 dingers. On the mount Heath Bell has already blown two saves this year. In all his years closing previously he had never blown back to back opportunities.
Another of those acquisition is starter Mark Buehrle. He is doing his usual thing keeping his team in the game and working quickly. He has a couple of losses but has pitched well enough to win both times.
Though he has pitched his entire career before this year in the AL he has a track record against the Cubbies because the White Sox faced them every year in interleague play.
The numbers are nothing spectacular but there is no one in the current lineup that has given him particular trouble.
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Miami 5 – Chicago 3
