NL Game of the Month MLB
(MLB) Miami vs. Chi Cubs, 04/20/2024 2:20 PM, Score: 3 - 2
Money Line: -146.00 Chi Cubs (Home)
Result: Loss
(Game ONE of double-header) #954 ASA PLAY ON Chicago Cubs -140 over Miami Marlins, Saturday at 2:20 PM ET - The Marlins, along with White Sox and Rockies, continue to have one of the worst records in the league early this season.  That being said, we look for value spots to fade teams like these and this is another one here.  The Marlins are starting Jesus Luzardo in the early game Saturday at Chicago.  Luzardo has a long-term reputation that commands some respect in the betting markets and in a spot like this that results in a line being lower than it should be.  This line on the Cubs is in a bargain price range in the -140 range as of overnight hours.  Luzardo has struggled so far this season with a 7.65 ERA and he also walked 5 in only 4.2 innings in his only road start.  He has given up 5 homers in his 4 starts and, overall, has been hit much harder than usual.  Chicago is 6-1 at home this season while the Marlins are an ugly 4-16 overall this season even with a home-heavy schedule early this season.  The Cubs have the hitting edge in this match-up as the Marlins continue to struggle to score runs.  Miami's struggles are expected to continue versus Javier Assad.  He has been tough to hit early this season and also is piling up strikeouts.  If you look at the Marlins last 11 losses, a recent one was a high-scoring 9-7 defeat but Miami has scored an average of only 1.9 runs in the other 10 defeats.  This team just can not get it going at the plate early this season.  The Cubs, on the other hand, are hitting .294 at home this season which ranks them #1 in the majors and they are scoring an average of 7.4 runs at Wrigley Field!  Cubs get the call in Game 1 of this double-header Saturday.