Marlins vs Cubs MLB Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (4/19): Expect a Chi-town Blowout

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After Thursday's light schedule, the MLB is back with a full 15-game slate planned for Friday, April 19. The action begins at 2:20 p.m. ET when the Miami Marlins (4-15) and Chicago Cubs (11-7) collide at Wrigley Field.

Tonight's Cubs-Marlins game has been postponed due to inclement weather.

It will be made up as the second game of a split doubleheader Saturday, April 20.

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 18, 2024

This four-game series was supposed to begin on Thursday but was postponed due to rain. Instead, today's collision will serve as Game 1 of the series while a doubleheader will be played on Saturday to make up for yesterday's postponement.

Nevertheless, this afternoon's matchup is filled with betting opportunities and I'm here to help you get in on the action. Continue scrolling for my Marlins vs. Cubs predictions and the game's best MLB bets.

2024 MLB Betting Picks Record: 12-8-0

Marlins vs Cubs MLB Betting Today (4/19)

Marlins vs Cubs Game Information

• Matchup: Miami Marlins (4-15, 2-4 Away) vs. Chicago Cubs (11-7, 5-1 Home)
• Venue & Location: Wrigley Field (Chicago, IL)
• Date: Friday, April 19, 2024
• Game Time: 2:20 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Marlins vs. Cubs: Bally Sports Florida, MLB.TV

Marlins vs Cubs MLB Probable Pitchers

• Marlins: A.J. Puk (3 starts — 0-3, 5.91 ERA)
• Cubs: Jameson Taillon (0 starts— 0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Cubs vs Marlins MLB Odds & Spread

Cubs vs. Marlins MLB odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Friday, April 19 at 8:43 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Marlins vs Cubs Run Line

• Miami Marlins +1.5 (-130)
• Chicago Cubs -1.5 (+110)

Cubs vs Marlins Over/Under

• Over 9.5 Runs (-110)
• Under 9.5 Runs (-110)

Marlins vs Cubs Moneyline

• Miami Marlins (+156)
• Chicago Cubs (-170)

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Marlins vs Cubs MLB Betting Trends

• Miami is 1-7 straight up in its last eight games vs. the NL Central.
• The Cubs are 8-1 straight up in their last nine home games.
• The total hit the Under in four of Miami's last five home games.
• The total hit the Under in five of the Cubs' last six games.
• The total hit the Under in nine of the last 13 Marlins-Cubs matchups.

Marlins vs Cubs Predictions & MLB Picks Today (4/19)

The Marlins and Cubs head into the first contest of this four-game series having experienced opposite levels of success lately.

The Marlins head into today's affair with a putrid 4-15 record, tied for second-worst in the Majors. Their struggles on both sides of the ball are behind their lack of success, averaging only 3.68 runs per game (24th) while boasting a 4.84 team ERA (28th). Furthermore, Miami is 1-6 SU against the NL Central this season.

Meanwhile, the Cubs enter today's game with an 11-7 record, sitting 0.5 games back of first in the NL Central. They hit a bit of a rough patch last week but have turned things around since then, going 4-1 SU across their last five games.

Chicago's turnaround wouldn't have been possible without a lineup that averages 5.61 runs per outing (4th). In fact, Craig Counsell's club has scored 16 runs in the last two games alone.

The Cubs' bats have been on fire over the last few games. 

The Marlins may have won four of their last six meetings against the Cubs, but I don't see that trend continuing. The Cubs have been rock solid in Chi-town, winning eight of their last nine home games dating back to the 2023 campaign. They're 5-1 SU with a plus-3.7 average run margin at Wrigley Field this season.

Another thing working in Chicago's favor is that Marlins SP A.J. Puk has been awful this season. The 28-year-old veteran is 0-3 with a 5.91 ERA and 2.438 WHIP through three starts in 2024. Miami has also been outscored 20-6 on aggregate in his appearances.

Meanwhile, the Cubs' Jameson Taillon will make his season debut after rehabbing from a back injury. The former 2010 first-rounder was average during his first year with the Cubs last season, going 8-10 with a 4.84 ERA and 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings in 30 games (29 starts).

Cubs RHP Jameson Taillon is set to make his 2024 debut on Friday. 

Let's take the Cubs to win with the Marlins continuing to play as one of baseball's worst teams. Chicago is looking good at the moment, showing zero issues when it comes to scoring runs. If Puk doesn't come out looking like a better pitcher early on, the Cubs could quickly make things ugly.

With that in mind, we're taking Chicago to cover the run line. Of Miami's 15 losses this season, 12 came by two or more runs. The Marlins are also 6-13 against the spread so far, whereas the Cubs are 13-5 ATS — including 4-2 ATS at home.

Considering how the Marlins have lost Puk's first three starts by an average of 4.7 runs, I see the Cubs winning by a wide margin today.

Marlins vs Cubs MLB Prediction: CHC wins

Best Marlins vs Cubs Bet: CHC -1.5 (+110)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on your Marlins vs. Cubs MLB predictions today at BetOnline

Best Marlins vs Cubs MLB Player Prop (4/19)

Cubs infielder Michael Busch has been phenomenal during his rookie season. That's why I'm taking him to record at least one RBI (+210) for the best Marlins vs. Cubs player prop today.

Player props aren't available on BetOnline, though, so we're heading to Bovada for this one.

After a slow start through his first few games, Busch has kicked things into overdrive. The power-hitting 26-year-old is batting .362 with 17 hits, six home runs, and 13 RBIs across his last 13 games while making good on this prop nine times. He's only gone without an RBI once in his last seven outings, tallying a total of eight during that stretch.

With the Marlins surrendering the second-most RBIs per game this season, I fully expect Busch to continue his hot run.

Marlins vs. Cubs MLB Prop Bet: Michael Busch to Record an RBI (+210)

Get 50% up to $750 on your Marlins vs. Cubs MLB picks today at Bovada

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