Miami Marlins vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Predictions May 19th 2025

Cubs Aim to Stay Hot Against Marlins in Miami

The Chicago Cubs are back in the postseason hunt—and they’re showing it on the field. With five wins in their last six games, the Cubs head to Miami on Monday night to begin a three-game series against the Marlins, who are coming off their best weekend in months.

Despite years without a playoff win, Cubs fans have remained loyal. That patience may finally be rewarded if this team keeps trending upward.

Cubs Cruising, But Staying Focused

Currently leading the NL Central, the Cubs have been winning with timely hitting and improving consistency on the mound. Their 5–4 record when Ben Brown starts might not jump off the page, but the young right-hander has shown flashes of brilliance.

Brown (3–3, 4.75 ERA) has a 2.45 ERA in two career outings against Miami and enters Monday’s game looking to tighten his command. In 7 1/3 innings vs. the Marlins, he’s yet to issue a walk while racking up nine strikeouts.

“He’s got a nasty curve when he locates it,” said one NL scout. “Still developing, but the ceiling is high.”

For daily prop picks and trends, check the MLB picks page, and for odds on today’s matchup, head to our MLB odds section.

Marlins Finally Show Signs of Life

The Marlins remain in last place in the NL East, but there were positive signs over the weekend. Miami took two of three from the Tampa Bay Rays, marking their first series win over their in-state rivals since 2018.

Rookie Otto Lopez, just back from an ankle injury, made an instant impact with a three-run homer Sunday in a 5–1 win.

“He gave us a boost,” said manager Clayton McCullough. “There’s more in there offensively.”

Another recent bright spot: catcher Liam Hicks. Claimed via the Rule 5 Draft, the Canadian slugger homered Sunday and now boasts four homers and an .839 OPS in 27 games.

Monday’s Pitching Matchup

• Ben Brown (3–3, 4.75 ERA, Cubs): Electric stuff when locked in, but has lacked consistency this season. Strong numbers against Miami.
• Edward Cabrera (0–1, 5.52 ERA, Marlins): Returning from a finger injury, Cabrera is 3–1 with a 3.96 ERA in five career starts vs. the Cubs. His control will be worth watching.

Ride the Hot Streaks

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Key Bats: Cubs’ Top of the Order on Fire

• Pete Crow-Armstrong (.910 OPS): The 23-year-old is doing it all—12 HR, 14 SB, and elite defense.
• Kyle Tucker (.897 OPS): A reliable threat behind Armstrong, Tucker adds protection and power.

Armstrong says hitting in this lineup is easy with so much talent around him. And so far, he’s proving to be the spark plug Chicago needed.

“I’ve got eight other guys who can really do it,” Armstrong said.

Betting Trends and Angles

Cubs Trends:

• 5–1 in last six games
• 5–4 in Ben Brown’s starts
• Top-10 in team OPS vs. right-handed pitching

Marlins Trends:

• 2–1 in last three games
• 5–13 in May
• 3–1 in Edward Cabrera’s starts vs. Cubs

Best Bets:

• Cubs Moneyline: Riding momentum and facing Cabrera fresh off injury makes this a strong play.
• Over 8 Runs: Both starters are volatile, and both offenses are coming off strong weekends.

For deeper betting props and matchup-specific picks, visit our expert betting guide.

Series Outlook

This isn’t just another series. For the Cubs, it’s a chance to build on their first-place standing and continue their recent surge. For the Marlins, it’s about proving the weekend wasn’t a fluke.

With promising young talent on both sides—like Crow-Armstrong and Hicks—this could quietly be one of the most entertaining series of the week.

Check our MLB team stats page for lineup changes, bullpen usage, and real-time data as the series unfolds.