Free MLB Pick: Chicago Cubs vs. Florida Marlins: July 31st 2009

Chicago Cubs vs. Florida Marlins 7:10 ET
Bet on this MLB matchup at BetUS online sportsbook

Two teams battling for playoff spots in the National League lock horns on Friday night and BetUS.com customers can sink their teeth into all of the action. The Chicago Cubs (54-46, -$137) will invade Land Shark Stadium to do battle with the Florida Marlins (53-49, +$554) in the first game of a critical three-game set. The Cubbies are still sitting atop the NL Central standings and are starting to build some space between themselves and the rest of the division. The Marlins are still within reach of the Phillies for the NL East lead, but the more realistic goal would be beating out the Rockies, Giants, Braves, and Cardinals for the NL Wild Card.

Rich Harden and the Cubs currently sit as -125 road favorites over Chris Volstad and the Marlins in the series opener; the game ‘total’ has been set at 8.5 under -125.

RHP Rich Harden made the difference for the Cubs last season when he came over in a trade deadline deal from Oakland. He went 5-1 with a 1.77 ERA in 12 starts for Chicago, but his second season in the Windy City hasn’t panned out as well. He’s 7-6 with a 4.55 ERA, but he is starting to heat up as the pennant races are getting tighter. In his L/3 starts, the right-hander is 2-0 with a miniscule 0.90 ERA and a 0.50 WHIP. You can always count on plenty of strikeouts when Harden is on the bump, as his K/9 is an impressive 10.06 this season. Chicago’s right-hander has had three career appearances against the Fish, but has yet to factor in the decision of a game. He has allowed seven runs in 14.1 innings of work.

The Marlins will counter by throwing one of the best looking young pitchers in baseball, RHP Chris Volstad. Last year, Marlins bettors got a glimpse of just how good this right-hander can be, as they picked up $573 in just 14 starts for the Fish. They haven’t been nearly as lucky this season though, as they are 10-11 and -$200 in his 21 outings this year. Volstad is 8-9 with a 4.44 ERA, but a big part of his problem has been keeping the ball in the park. He has allowed 21 home runs this season, 12 of which have come at home. The righty is only 3-6 in 10 starts at Land Shark Stadium in ‘09, which has to be a scary proposition for baseball betting fanatics hoping to make some coin on the Marlins tonight. Just like his counterpart, Volstad has faced tonight’s opponent three times without recording a decision, but his ERA is a much stronger 2.84 against the Cubs than Harden’s is against the Marlins.

Both pitchers have been dialed in lately, and it’s hard to expect anything but the same again tonight. Expect a nice pitcher’s duel to kick off a fantastic three-game set between two of the best teams in the National League.

Rose’s Recommendation: 3* CHC/FLA Under 8.5 -125 (Harden/Volstad)
(Rating Scale: 1* – 5*)