The Miami Marlins and Chicago Cubs will close out their midweek series on May 14, 2025, at Wrigley Field, with both teams in very different positions entering the final matchup as the Cubs look to maintain momentum in the NL Central and the Marlins seek to avoid further sliding in the National League standings. The Cubs come into the game with a 23–17 record, owning a 12–9 mark at home and showcasing one of the more dynamic and power-driven offenses in the National League, as evidenced by their staggering 16–2 record in games where they hit two or more home runs, a statistic that clearly reflects their identity as a team capable of putting up big innings when the long ball is working. Jameson Taillon will get the ball for the Cubs, entering with a 2–2 record and a 4.53 ERA, and while his season has had its ups and downs, he’s been effective when getting early run support and avoiding free passes, something that has plagued Miami’s pitching staff throughout the year. The Marlins, sitting at 15–23, are reeling on the road with a 5–11 record away from LoanDepot Park and have lost three straight away games, largely due to a combination of poor run production and a pitching staff that has failed to keep opponents in check, posting a brutal 6.85 ERA over their last 10 games. Ryan Weathers will take the mound for Miami, trying to stop the bleeding in what’s become a depleted rotation due to injuries to frontline starters like Eury Perez and Braxton Garrett, and he’ll need to be nearly perfect to give the Marlins a chance against a Cubs lineup that feeds off fastballs and can chase pitchers early if they fall behind in counts.

Miami’s offense, averaging just 3.6 runs per game in recent contests, has been too inconsistent to keep up in slugfests, and their margin for error has all but vanished with the current state of their bullpen and defense, both of which have struggled to execute in high-leverage situations. Injuries have also hit their lineup hard, removing key role players and forcing younger, unproven bats into larger roles, which has made it difficult for manager Skip Schumaker to find a stable run-producing core beyond a few hot stretches from Luis Arraez and Jazz Chisholm Jr. The Cubs, on the other hand, are seeing a mix of veterans and younger talent click, with guys like Cody Bellinger and Ian Happ providing experience and timely hitting, while Chicago’s bullpen has remained dependable in closing games out when handed a lead. While neither team has been perfect against the spread recently—both going 4–6 in their last 10—the Cubs’ home-field edge, superior power, and overall roster depth make them clear favorites, and if they can put runs on the board early and get five solid innings from Taillon, they’ll be in strong position to finish the series with a win and continue building toward a serious postseason push. For Miami, the formula for success is narrow: get a gem from Weathers, avoid defensive breakdowns, and hope the offense can do just enough to scratch across a few runs against a confident and playoff-hungry Cubs squad.