Marlins-Cubs Pointers

The Florida Marlins and the Chicago Cubs will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Wrigley Field. The Marlins will give the ball to ace starter Scott Olsen in this one. Lefthander Olsen is 6-4 this season with a 3.84 ERA. The Cubs will counter Olsen with ace Carlos Zambrano. Righthander Zambrano has a 2.98 ERA to go along with a 10-4 record this season. NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 200-moneyline favorites versus the Marlins, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Marlins were crushed 9-4 by the Braves as a +105 underdog on Wednesday. The 13 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (7.5). Luis Gonzalez belted a three-run homer for the Marlins. Ricky Nolasco gave up five runs off eight hits over five innings in the loss. The Cubs scored six times in the eighth inning on Wednesday, as they came back to defeat the Diamondbacks 10-6. The Cubs won the game as -137 favorites, while the 16 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (9). Reed Johnson had a grand slam for the Cubs, and finished 3-for-4 at the plate. Ted Lilly scattered three hits off six hits over six innings in the win. Team records: Florida: 53-48 SU Chicago: 59-42 SU Florida most recently: When playing on Thursday are 2-8 Before playing Chi Cubs are 6-4 After playing Atlanta are 3-7 After a loss are 7-3 Chicago most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Florida are 3-7 After playing Arizona are 5-5 After a win are 3-7 A few trends to consider: Florida is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs Florida is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road Florida is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs The total has gone OVER in 12 of Florida's last 16 games on the road Chi Cubs are 19-4 SU in their last 23 games at home The total has gone OVER in 15 of Chi Cubs's last 21 games when playing Florida The total has gone OVER in 14 of Chi Cubs's last 20 games when playing at home against Florida The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chi Cubs's last 9 games at home Next up: Chi Cubs home to Florida, Friday, July 25