Cubs vs Marlins predictions
All eyes are on the Chicago Cubs as they enter loanDepot park carrying plenty of momentum. Nico Hoerner has quietly become one of the most reliable bats in the Cubs lineup, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he puts up another multi-hit game while driving in a run or two. Pete Crow-Armstrong, meanwhile, brings a mix of power and speed—watch for him to snag a base and maybe even go deep. Seiya Suzuki could also be a key force in the middle of the order; with his knack for driving in runs, expect Suzuki to come through with a couple of clutch hits and an RBI. And with Jameson Taillon on the mound, who’s shown the ability to work deep into games, the Cubs have to feel pretty confident about limiting the Marlins’ chances.
Looking over at the Miami Marlins, Kyle Stowers has been their go-to guy all season, and I think he stays hot tonight with another solid performance at the plate—maybe a homer and a couple of RBIs. Otto Lopez could be a sneaky contributor, likely finding his way on base and using his speed to create havoc, while Connor Norby’s consistency should give the Marlins a chance to put up runs from the top of the lineup. On the mound, Ryan Weathers will need to keep his walk numbers down, but if he pitches efficiently and gets a handful of strikeouts, Miami can keep this one close. Their lineup isn’t as explosive as Chicago’s, but if they get timely hitting from the likes of Matt Mervis or Jesus Sanchez, they’ll definitely be in it until the late innings.
With the series hanging in the balance and the Cubs having a slight edge in both hitting depth and pitching stability, I’m leaning their way to take the win in this one. The Marlins can keep things interesting—especially if Stowers and Lopez get rolling—but Chicago’s balanced attack, aggressive base-running, and ability to draw walks should be just enough to power them past Miami in what looks like a fun, competitive matchup. Cubs fans, get ready for another exciting night!
