Chicago Cubs — Miami Marlins के लिए भविष्यवाणियाँ

The Chicago Cubs have had chances to put away the Miami Marlins and have let them slip. Now the series finale asks a different question: how many fresh arms does Miami have left?

Cubs need to turn traffic into runs

Chicago can still clinch a postseason berth and improve its Wild Card position, but it has failed to cash in enough scoring chances in this series. Tuesday's loss came after missed opportunities in extra innings; on Wednesday, Dansby Swanson supplied the Cubs' only runs.

Alex Bregman remains a significant concern after suffering facial fractures from a foul ball and dealing with swelling on Wednesday. He has not been placed on the injured list, but his Thursday availability should not be assumed; NBC Sports has details on his recovery.

mlb.com currently lists left-hander Matthew Boyd as Chicago's probable starter, a change from earlier projections. His assignment is not final, and the Cubs also have Friday's Boston doubleheader to consider when managing their pitching.

Marlins keep finding a finish

Miami has been eliminated from postseason contention, yet it has stopped Chicago from clinching on consecutive nights. Kyle Stowers has homered in each game, and the Marlins have made the decisive late plays.

Tyler Phillips is listed to start for Miami, but his recent outings point to another possible early handoff. He was removed during the fourth inning of a scoreless start against San Diego, and NBC Sports noted Miami's reluctance to let him work deep into games.

That handoff could come at a cost. Cade Gibson, Michael Petersen and Calvin Faucher all pitched on both Tuesday and Wednesday, following a series opener that lasted twelve innings; Pete Fairbanks and Anthony Bender are sidelined.

A light breeze, not a locked-down park

Thursday's day game at Wrigley Field is forecast to be mostly cloudy, with a light easterly breeze coming off the lake and little rain risk. That wind may trim some carry, but it is not strong enough to make every well-struck ball harmless.

Phillips' exit is the hinge

The case for Chicago's team total is not that the Cubs have hit cleanly throughout this series. It is that another short Phillips start could leave Miami's heavily used bullpen to cover a large share of the game.

Bregman's likely absence takes a bat out of Chicago's lineup, while the inward breeze offers pitchers some help. There is also the possibility that a Cubs lead costs the offense its final turn in the bottom of the ninth, but Miami's relief mileage makes the path to five runs persuasive.