Marlins vs. Cubs prediction and odds for Saturday, May 6 (Cubs Strong Lineup Getting a Boost)

Two teams that have had surprising starts to the season continue its series in Chicago.

For second game of this weekend's series between the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins the Cubs will run out left-handed starting pitcher as Drew Smyly. The Marlins will hand the ball to Bryan Hoeing to make the fourth start of his career and third of this season. 

Smyly comes into the matchup with a 3-1 record and a 2.83 ERA as he continues to revitalize his career in Chicago. This is his seventh start of the season. Hoeing is 0-1 with a 6.23 ERA and his most recent start was April 30th against the Cubs down in Miami. Familiarity typically helps the hitters, but with Hoeing getting more comfortable in the big leagues, he might settle in at Wrigley Field. 

Let’s take a look at the odds for this National League matchup in the afternoon at Wrigley Field. 

Marlins vs. Cubs odds, run line and total

Marlins vs. Cubs prediction and pick

The Marlins had issues with their offense when they got swept by the Braves mid week and there’s a chance that those issues linger. Despite having the seventh best OPS against left-handed pitchers in baseball this season, .788, only the Nationals have hit fewer than their six home runs off of lefties. They have the 26th most at-bats against lefties heading into this weekend, so it’s still a small sample early in the year, but outside of Jorge Soler they don’t seem to have any power. 

The Cubs on the other hand have a lineup that is to be feared. With Cody Bellinger and Patrick Wisdom in the middle they have some pop and they just added more by calling up Matt Mervis who hit 36 home runs at Triple-A last season and will likely be taking over first base from Eric Hosmer. That feels like a lot of firepower for a rookie like Bryan Hoeing to deal with, especially after most of this lineup just saw him a week ago. 

I think with Smyly on the bump and Mervis adding some thump, the Cubs will start to make up for getting swept last week in South Beach. 

Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change