A key battle on the MLB odds menu sees visiting Miami duelling Chicago on Thursday at Wrigley Field.

Miami puts its faith in starter Mark Buehrle to earn a win and boost his personal mark of 9-8. Getting the ball for the Cubs is Paul Maholm, who owns a 7-6 record on the season with a 4.38 ERA.



View Miami vs Chi Cubs Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
If you're going with the Cubs in this one, they're listed as moneyline underdogs of +102 on most baseball betting menus for Monday's contest.

Power Rankings:
The Cubs sit at No. 14 in the National League in the current MLB power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Marlins sit at a National League No. 15 on the same chart.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Chicago's No. 14-rated National League offense, averaging 3.8 runs per game, against a Marlins defense that ranks No. 13 in the National League at 4.5 in runs allowed per game. The Cubs have averaged 8.4 hits per game so far, more than Marlins batters have averaged on the year (8.1 hits per game).

Comparing defensive stats, Miami owns the National League's No. 7-rated road mark, allowing 4.2 runs per game on the highway. Chicago, on the other hand, rates No. 11 in scoring at home.

Miami lost its last outing, a 5-1 result against the Cubs on July 18. Bettors who backed the Cubs at +105 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (6) sent UNDER bettors to the payout window. Miami looks to rebound from a loss to the Cubs, who beat them 5-1 on Wednesday behind a start from Jeff Samardzija at Wrigley Field.




Miami Marlins Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Pittsburgh are 6-4
After playing Chi Cubs are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5

Chicago Cubs Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing St. Louis are 7-3
After playing Miami are 4-6
After a win are 6-4

A few Marlins at Cubs trends to consider:
Miami is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami's last 7 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Miami's last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games on the road
Chi Cubs are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games at home
Chi Cubs are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chi Cubs' last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs' last 7 games


Next up:
Miami at Pittsburgh, Friday, July 20
Chi Cubs at St. Louis, Friday, July 20