Marlins vs. Cubs Tuesday Prediction
After blasting the Miami Marlins in the first game of the series, will the Chicago Cubs win again on Tuesday night when Jen-Ho Tseng takes over the roster spot of Yu Darvish?
Game Snapshot & Odds
905 Miami Marlins (+220) at 906 Chicago Cubs (-240); 9 runs
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
8:05 p.m. ET, Wrigley Field
TV: MIA (FSFL); CHC (CSNC)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Cubs as a -240 favorite. As of this writing, 59% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Cubs to beat the Marlins on the money line. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Marlins’ Urena allows just one run over seven innings in loss
Jose Urena pitched very well but took a loss anyway, allowing two runs — one earned — in seven innings to the Phillies on Wednesday. He served up a solo shot to the first batter he faced in the ballgame but settled down to turn in a quality start. He allowed an unearned run in the second inning when he threw away a comebacker. Urena became the second pitcher this year to lose five games (Kendall Graveman was the first) and has yet to win one of his seven starts. He has a 4.28 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 40 innings.
Cubs calling up Tseng to pitch vs. Marlins on Tuesday
The Cubs will call up right-hander Jen-Ho Tseng to start Tuesday against the Marlins. The team has yet to announce the move. It’s strictly a spot start with Yu Darvish (flu) eligible to return next Monday. Tseng holds an ugly 8.04 ERA over six starts with Triple-A Iowa this season, though he has struck out 32 batters in 31 1/3 innings. It’s a good matchup, but the Cubs could rely heavily on their bullpen for this one.
MLB Betting Trends
Miami
The Marlins are 1-8 in their last nine games against the Cubs when the game is played in Chicago.
Chicago
The over is 4-1 in the last five meetings between these two teams in Chicago.
Prediction:
This is my least favorite game on Tuesday’s schedule because of the unknown with Tseng. The Marlins could struggle against him because they’re not familiar with him, or his nerves could set in early and his start is a disaster. Still, I’ll roll the dice on the over after the Cubs’ offense came alive last night at home. Urena does a nice job against right-handed hitters but he’s been hit hard by lefties. Ben Zobrist, Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber and Tommy La Stella could have big nights versus Urena in what hopefully is a high-scoring game.
MLB Prediction: Marlins/Cubs over 9