MLB Betting Odds: Chicago Cubs vs. Miami Marlins

The Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins will close out a three-game National League series on Thursday afternoon inside Marlins Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 12:40 p.m. ET.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Marlins as -159 home favorites, while the total has fallen by a half run to stand at 7.

Cubs starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (2-0, 3.95 ERA) has received 13 runs of support in winning his first two starts of the year, but he did allow five runs and 10 hits over just five frames in a 9-5 road victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on April 13.

The right-hander will be making his 11th career appearance (second start) versus the Marlins, coming in with a perfect 2-0 mark and 3.78 ERA.

Sports bettors will find that the Cubs are 4-1 in Samardzija's last five starts as an underdog.

Rick Nolasco (1-0, 3.46 ERA) didn't factor in the decision in a 5-4 home win over the Houston Astros on April 13, giving up two runs on four hits in just five innings of work. It was his first appearance inside Miami's new ballpark.

Nolasco has produced a winning 3-2 mark and 2.57 ERA in seven career outings (six starts) versus the Cubs, but Thursday's visitor has actually proven victorious in his last two games against them.

The Marlins are 2-7 in his last nine efforts as a home favorite, but eight of those nine games were played at Sun Life Stadium.

Weather forecasts suggest partly cloudy skies and game-time temperatures in the low-80s, with a 30 percent chance of isolated thunderstorms throughout the game. A wind of 10-15 mph will be blowing in a south-southwest direction (left to right).