Miami Marlins at Chicago Cubs 6/18/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Miami Marlins will open a three-game series on the road Friday against the Chicago Cubs. Miami is 29-39 following a 1-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. Miami has lost four straight and the Marlins are last in the National League East 10 games behind the first-place New York Mets. Miami is off Thursday before traveling to the Windy City to play Friday at Wrigley Field.

Jesus Aguilar is batting .273 to lead Miami and the first baseman has team highs in home runs with 12, RBIs with 49, hits with 62 and on-base percentage at .333. Miami has hit 60 home runs in 68 games. On Friday, the Miami Marlins will send Pablo Lopez to the mound. The right-hander is 2-4 with an ERA of 3.12, 78 Ks and 21 BBs.

Chicago is 38-30 following a 6-3 go to the New York Mets on Wednesday. Chicago has lost three straight to the Mets and will complete that series on Thursday. Chicago is tied for first place in the National League Central with the Milwaukee Brewers but their lead has dwindled to just two games over the Cincinnati Reds. The Cubs are struggling again at the plate and have dropped to 23rd in baseball in team batting average at .230.

Kris Bryant is batting .292 to lead Chicago and the third baseman has team highs in hits with 66 and on-base percentage at .374. Shortstop Javier Baez is the leader in home runs with 15 and RBIs with 42. Chicago has hit 93 home runs in 68 games. On Friday, Chicago will send Zach Davies to the mound. The right-hander is 4-3 with an ERA of 4.01, 43 Ks and 33 BBs.