Miami Marlins vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Prediction for Thursday, September 24, 2026

On Thursday, the Miami Marlins visit the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, with the opening pitch scheduled for 2:20 PM ET and televised on ESPN Unlimited and MLB.TV. Miami is 77-80, 32-47 away and third in the NL East, 15 games behind Atlanta. The Marlins are eliminated from playoff contention but snapped a three-game losing streak with an 8-2, 12-inning victory over Chicago on Tuesday. The Cubs are 87-70, 45-34 at home and second in the NL Central, 11 games behind Milwaukee. Chicago currently occupies an NL wild-card position. Here’s a closer look at our free MLB picks.

Miami Marlins Coming Off an Extra-Inning Win

Miami has split its last five games, with Tuesday’s 8-2 victory ending a difficult three-game series in San Diego. The Marlins scored six runs in the 12th inning to take the series opener at Wrigley Field. Otto Lopez has been Miami’s most consistent hitter, batting .304 with 186 hits, 11 home runs, 71 RBI and 33 stolen bases. Heriberto Hernandez leads the club with 24 homers, while Kyle Stowers has 20 home runs, 63 RBI, and a .455 slugging percentage. Javier Sanoja is batting .293 with 68 RBI.

The Marlins are batting .249 with 700 runs, 162 home runs, a .327 on-base percentage and .400 slugging percentage. Miami’s pitching staff owns a 4.13 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and .236 opponent batting average, with 1,282 strikeouts and 547 walks. The Marlins have been productive during the day at 36-27, but the road record remains a concern at 32-47. Miami has scored 23 runs across its last five games while allowing 27.

Injuries: Xavier Edwards (questionable), Owen Caissie (out), Anthony Bender (out), Max Meyer (out), Ronny Henriquez (out).

Chicago Cubs Trying to Rebound at Wrigley Field

Chicago has won three of its last five despite Tuesday’s extra-inning defeat. Before losing to Miami, the Cubs took two of three in Cincinnati, winning 9-1 and 5-2. Pete Crow-Armstrong has produced a huge season with a .282 average, .373 on-base percentage and .579 slugging percentage. He leads Chicago with 45 home runs, 107 RBI, 119 runs and 39 stolen bases. Seiya Suzuki is batting .267 with 25 homers and 85 RBI, while Alex Bregman has 26 home runs, 89 RBI and a .352 on-base percentage.

The Cubs have scored 837 runs while batting .251 with 217 home runs, a .339 on-base percentage and .430 slugging percentage. Chicago’s pitching staff carries a 4.17 ERA and 1.26 WHIP, with opponents batting .243. The Cubs have allowed 229 home runs, but their defense ranks first in MLB with only 59 errors and a .990 fielding percentage. Chicago is 45-34 at Wrigley Field and has outscored opponents by 146 runs this season.

Injuries: Gavin Hollowell (out), Justin Steele (out), Phil Maton (out), Hunter Harvey (out), Tyler Austin (out).

Pitching Matchup

Miami Marlins - Tyler Phillips

Tyler Phillips is 5-6 with a 3.45 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 122.2 innings. The right-hander has allowed 109 hits and 17 home runs while recording 99 strikeouts against 52 walks. 

Chicago Cubs - Undecided

Chicago Cubs had not yet announced its starting pitcher at the time this preview was written.

Miami Marlins vs Chicago Cubs Game Pick

• Chicago Cubs

Chicago is the pick after Tuesday’s loss. The Cubs have major advantages in season-long scoring and power, producing 837 runs and 217 home runs compared with Miami’s 700 runs and 162 homers. Chicago also owns a 45-34 home record, while Miami is 32-47 away. Phillips has posted a solid 3.45 ERA, so the Cubs may need patience at the plate. Still, Crow-Armstrong, Bregman and Suzuki lead a lineup with enough depth to answer Miami’s recent offensive production.

Miami Marlins vs Chicago Cubs Over/Under Pick

• Over

The play is over with the offensive numbers creating enough scoring potential at Wrigley Field. Chicago has scored 26 runs across its last five games and owns one of baseball’s highest season totals with 837 runs. The Cubs have also hit 217 home runs while posting a .339 on-base percentage and .430 slugging percentage. Miami has scored at least six runs twice in its last four games, including eight Tuesday. Phillips can limit damage, but Chicago’s 4.17 team ERA gives an opportunity for Miami to contribute to the scoring.