Miami Marlins at Chicago Cubs Game 1 Pick & Prediction – 4/20/2024

Miami Marlins vs Chicago Cubs Overview

• Date: April 20, 2024
• Venue: Wrigley Field
• Starting Pitchers:
  • Jesus Luzardo - Marlins
  • Javier Assad - Cubs
• Run Line: Marlins +1.5 (-172), Cubs -1.5 (+142)
• Money Line: Marlins +136, Cubs -162
• Total (Over/Under): 8

Miami Marlins vs Chicago Cubs Game Preview & Prediction

The Chicago Cubs will be hosting the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field on April 20, 2024, in a National League matchup that is the first game of a doubleheader between the two teams. The Cubs, with a record of 12-7, are having a great season, while the Marlins, with a record of 4-16, are struggling and having a terrible season.

The Cubs will have Javier Assad as their starting pitcher, a right-handed pitcher who has started three games this year. Assad has a win-loss record of 2-0 and an impressive ERA of 2.16, making him an excellent performer so far. However, according to our advanced-stat Power Rankings, Assad is ranked #168 out of approximately 350 pitchers, suggesting that he is not among the best in the league.

On the other hand, the Marlins will start Jesus Luzardo, a left-handed pitcher. Luzardo has started four games this season but has struggled with a win-loss record of 0-2 and an ERA of 7.65. Despite this, our Power Rankings have him ranked #58 among starting pitchers, indicating that he has the potential to perform well.

Assad is projected to pitch an average of 5.3 innings, allowing 2.4 earned runs, striking out 4.3 batters, and allowing 5.3 hits and 1.7 walks. Luzardo, on the other hand, is projected to pitch an average of 5.5 innings, allowing 2.6 earned runs, striking out 6.2 batters, and allowing 5.0 hits and 2.3 walks.

In terms of offense, the Cubs rank as the 9th best team in MLB this season, with a good team batting average and a solid presence on the basepaths with stolen bases. The Marlins, however, rank as the 29th best team in MLB, with a high team batting average but a lack of power and stolen bases.

While the Cubs have a slightly better offense and a pitcher with a better record, the matchup reveals an interesting dynamic. Luzardo, the Marlins' pitcher, struggles with control, facing a Cubs offense that ranks third in the league in walks. This could give the Cubs an advantage if they can capitalize on Luzardo's control issues.

Overall, this game presents an intriguing contrast between the Cubs' strong season and the Marlins' struggles. With Assad on the mound for the Cubs and Luzardo looking to bounce back for the Marlins, it will be interesting to see how the game unfolds.

Quick Takes Miami Marlins:

The Miami Marlins bullpen profiles as the 8th-worst in the majors, per the leading projection system (THE BAT).

• Most bettors only consider the starting pitcher, but a weak bullpen sneakily creates an easier matchup for the opposing offense and boosts a game's runs.

Quick Takes Chicago Cubs:

With their win over the Marlins on Friday, the Cubs improved to 6-1 at home on the season, a win rate of 85.7%

Marlins vs Cubs Prediction: Marlins 3.43 - Cubs 4.75

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