The Chicago Cubs get another opportunity to secure their place in the postseason on Wednesday night when they host the Miami Marlins for Game 2 of their three-game set at Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET.
Chicago entered the series needing one more win to clinch a playoff berth, but Miami spoiled the party with an 8-2 victory in 12 innings on Tuesday night. The game remained tied at two through 11 before the Marlins broke it open with six runs in the top of the 12th.
The Cubs fell to 87-70 with the loss and are now tied with Philadelphia and San Diego atop the NL Wild Card standings. Chicago can officially clinch a postseason berth with a win Wednesday or an Arizona Diamondbacks loss.
Pete Crow-Armstrong also enters Wednesday’s game on the verge of history. The Cubs center fielder stole his 39th base of the season Tuesday and already has 45 home runs, leaving him one steal away from becoming the seventh player in MLB history to record a 40-homer, 40-steal season.
Kevin Gausman gets the ball for Chicago with a 9-12 record, 4.55 ERA and 177 strikeouts across 172 innings. The veteran right-hander allowed two earned runs over 5.2 innings in his most recent start against Atlanta. Miami will counter with Ryan Gusto, who is 1-5 with a 4.14 ERA through 17 starts. Gusto allowed two earned runs across 4.1 innings against Arizona his last time out.
Marlins vs. Cubs Odds Today
The Cubs are sizable home favorites at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook as they look to bounce back from last night’s loss in extras:
Best Bet for Marlins vs. Cubs
Pete Crow-Armstrong Over 0.5 Stolen Bases (+160): PCA enters Wednesday night sitting on 45 home runs and 39 stolen bases, putting him one swiped bag away from joining one of baseball‘s most exclusive clubs.
Only six players have produced a 40-40 season: Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Shohei Ohtani. Crow-Armstrong would become the seventh and the first Cubs player to accomplish the feat. He’d also become the third player to log a 40/40 season since 2023, joining Acuña Jr. and Ohtani among active players to do it.
Time is beginning to run short. Chicago only has five regular season games remaining, and Wednesday is one of just two left at Wrigley Field. Crow-Armstrong moved within one of the milestone by stealing a base Tuesday night, giving him another chance to reach 40 in front of the home crowd less than 24 hours later.
The pitching matchup isn’t necessarily favorable for the prop. Gusto has done an excellent job controlling the running game, allowing only three stolen bases across his 17 starts this season. Crow-Armstrong will also need to reach base and find the right situation to attempt a steal.
Still, the circumstances make the +160 price worth a shot. PCA has five games left to swipe No. 40, and with his next stolen base securing a place alongside six of the most accomplished seasons in MLB history, we’ll take our chances on him getting aggressive if the opportunity presents itself Wednesday night.
- Best Bet: Pete Crow-Armstrong Over 0.5 Stolen Bases (+160)
Marlins vs. Cubs Betting Splits
Hard Rock Bet players are backing Chicago heavily, while the majority of total bets are on the Over despite the low total:
- The Cubs have attracted 86.8% of all moneyline tickets and 97.6% of the handle.
- Cubs -1.5 accounts for 76.8% of all run line bets and 98.1% of the handle.
- Over 6.5 has drawn 87.0% of all total tickets and 82.5% of the money wagered.
Top 5 Most-Bet Player Props
PCA occupies the top two spots among Wednesday’s most-bet player props:
- Pete Crow-Armstrong – Over 0.5 Home Runs
- Pete Crow-Armstrong – Over 0.5 Hits
- Kevin Gausman – Over 5.5 Strikeouts
- Otto Lopez – Over 0.5 Hits
- Seiya Suzuki – Over 0.5 Hits
Marlins vs. Cubs Game Info
- 📍 Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
- 📅 Date: Wednesday, September 23
- ⏰ First Pitch: 7:40 PM ET
- 📺 TV: Marquee Sports Network, Marlins.TV
- ⚾ Probable Pitchers:
- Marlins: Ryan Gusto (1-5, 4.14 ERA)
- Cubs: Kevin Gausman (9-12, 4.55 ERA)
More Ways to Bet
One swing can cash your ticket, but until then, Florida players can keep things interesting with Real Money Games powered by Past Motor Racing, only on Hard Rock Bet. It’s another way to stay engaged between plate appearances.
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