Miami (48-59) at Chicago Cubs (43-63)
When: Sunday, August 7th 2022
Where: Wrigley Field,
Chicago, IL
Time: 2:20 ET | TV: MLB.tv
Opening Odds: Chicago -115/8
The Chicago Cubs will be looking for a three-game sweep of the struggling Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field. The Marlins have really been struggling to find any sort of offense lately and have recorded just one run in losing the first two games of this series. Miami has now lost seven of their last eight games after Saturday’s 4-0 setback. It was the sixth time since July 16th that the Marlins have been shutout. During their last seven games, the Marlins have scored a total of nine runs. Jesus Luzardo will take the mound on Sunday in hopes of helping the Marlins get back on track.
The Cubs meanwhile, are seeking their second three-game sweep of the season. They went into Philadelphia right after the All-Star Break and swept the Phillies. Since that series however, the Cubs offense has stalled, but not as bad as Miami’s. The Cubs have used strong pitching to take the first two in this series and are looking for their sixth home victory in a row. Nico Hoerner went 3-for-4 on Saturday to raise his average to .298 – one of the few offensive bright spots for this young Cubs team. Earlier in the day, Chicago released 11-year veteran shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who batted just .173 in 34 games while fighting through shoulder issues.
Pitchers: Marlins – Jesus Luzardo (2-4, 3.97) | Cubs – Adrian Sampson (0-2, 3.74)
Luzardo is making just his second start since returning from a strained left forearm and was limited to 81 pitches against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday. The lefty logged five innings and allowed three hits and two runs in a 3-1 loss. He will be facing the Cubs for the second time in his career. He was rocked by the Cubs last August in a wild 14-10 home win.
Sampson got zero runs of support in his last outing against the San Francisco Giants on the road last Sunday. Sampson allowed four runs in four innings and the Cubs went on to lose 4-0. Despite the rough outing, Sampson has allowed two runs or less in seven of his last 10 starts and will be seeing the Marlins for the first time.
The Marlins are really struggling right now and it’s really hard to back them. The Cubs, who have struggled at home all season, have won five games in a row at Wrigley. Sampson has been solid and should have no trouble getting through this Miami lineup.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for today.
Pick: Cubs -110
