Cubs visit the Marlins to open 3-game series

Chicago Cubs (79-62, second in the NL Central) vs. Miami Marlins (71-70, third in the NL East)

Miami; Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Shota Imanaga (8-10, 4.01 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 148 strikeouts); Marlins: Janson Junk (6-8, 4.11 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 70 strikeouts)

LINE: Cubs -135, Marlins +111; over/under is 8 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins host the Chicago Cubs on Friday to begin a three-game series.

Miami is 71-70 overall and 42-27 at home. The Marlins are 53-24 in games when they record eight or more hits.

Chicago has a 79-62 record overall and a 38-31 record in road games. Cubs pitchers have a collective 4.19 ERA, which ranks ninth in the NL.

The teams meet Friday for the first time this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Heriberto Hernandez is third on the Marlins with 40 extra base hits (16 doubles, a triple and 23 home runs). Kyle Stowers is 10 for 33 with three doubles, two home runs and seven RBIs over the last 10 games.

Pete Crow-Armstrong has 27 doubles, seven triples and 39 home runs for the Cubs. Tyrone Taylor is 16 for 29 with four doubles and a home run over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Marlins: 4-6, .231 batting average, 4.64 ERA, outscored by seven runs

Cubs: 4-6, .270 batting average, 5.00 ERA, outscored opponents by 18 runs

INJURIES: Marlins: Kyle Stowers: day-to-day (hamstring), Xavier Edwards: 10-Day IL (thumb), Andrew Nardi: 60-Day IL (ribs), Anthony Bender: 15-Day IL (shin), Max Meyer: 15-Day IL (neck), Pete Fairbanks: 15-Day IL (nerve), William Kempner: 60-Day IL (elbow), Robby Snelling: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ronny Henriquez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Adam Mazur: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Cubs: Edward Cabrera: 15-Day IL (blister), Hunter Harvey: 60-Day IL (tricep), Pedro Ramirez: day-to-day (back), Jacob Webb: day-to-day (forearm), Gavin Hollowell: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Christopher Austin: 60-Day IL (knee), Dansby Swanson: 10-Day IL (side), Riley Martin: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ben Brown: 60-Day IL (neck), Phil Maton: 60-Day IL (knee), Justin Steele: 60-Day IL (elbow), Porter Hodge: 60-Day IL (elbow), Cade Horton: 60-Day IL (forearm), Shelby Miller: 60-Day IL (elbow)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.