Marlins-Cubs Preview

The fans at Wrigley Field will be treated to a game between the Florida Marlins and the Chicago Cubs when they take their seats on Friday. Righthander Josh Johnson will take the mound for the Marlins to start this game. Johnson is 0-0 this season with a 3.86 ERA. The Cubs will counter Johnson with Ryan Dempster. Righthander Dempster has a 3.05 ERA to go along with a 11-4 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 200-moneyline favorites versus the Marlins, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Aramis Ramirez drove in two runs to lead the Cubs to a 6-3 win over the Marlins as -230 winners on Thursday. The game's nine runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8.5). Henry Blanco chipped in with two hits and one RBI for the Cubs. Carlos Zambrano tossed the win, surrendering two runs off six hits over seven innings of work. Hanley Ramirez belted a two-run homer in a losing effort for the Marlins, who were +200 underdogs in that game. Scott Olsen got knocked around for six earned runs over six innings. Current streak: Florida has lost 2 straight games. Chicago has won 2 straight games. Team records: Florida: 53-49 SU Chicago: 60-42 SU Florida most recently: When playing on Friday are 6-4 Before playing Chi Cubs are 6-4 After playing Chi Cubs are 8-2 After a loss are 6-4 Chicago most recently: When playing on Friday are 4-6 Before playing Florida are 3-7 After playing Florida are 2-8 After a win are 4-6 A few trends to consider: Florida is 10-1 SU in their last 11 games when playing Chi Cubs Florida is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs Florida is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road Chi Cubs are 20-4 SU in their last 24 games at home Chi Cubs are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Florida Chi Cubs are 1-10 SU in their last 11 games when playing Florida Next up: Chi Cubs home to Florida, Saturday, July 26