Game Breakdown: Cubs vs Marlins Team Stats and Insights – September 5, 2026

Chicago Cubs

@

Miami Marlins

Chicago Cubs Insights

• Javier Assad – Over/Under Strikeouts
  Javier Assad projects to strikeout an average of 4 bats in this outing, according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X).
  Explain: THE BAT X is a highly sophisticated projection system that accounts for a multitude of factors like ballpark, weather, umpire, and more.
• Ian Happ – Over/Under Total Bases
  Ian Happ’s average exit velocity has fallen off of late; his 89.1-mph seasonal mark has fallen to 81.5-mph over the past 7 days.
  Explain: Hitting the ball hard increases the chances of either a home run or the ball landing in fair territory for a hit before a fielder can get to it.
• Chicago Cubs – 2H Moneyline
  According to the leading projection system (THE BAT), the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen profiles as the 6th-worst among all the teams in the league.
  Explain: Most bettors only consider the starting pitcher, but a weak bullpen sneakily creates an easier matchup for the opposing offense and boosts a game’s runs.

Miami Marlins Insights

• Ryan Gusto – Over/Under Strikeouts
  Ryan Gusto’s higher usage percentage of his secondary pitches this year (59% vs. 48.3% last season) figures to work in his favor since they are typically much more effective than fastballs.
  Explain: A pitcher who limits has fastball usage will instead heavily use change-ups, curveballs, sliders, etc. These are far more effective pitches at preventing runs and generating strikeouts.
• Heriberto Hernandez – Over/Under Total Bases
  In today’s matchup, Heriberto Hernandez is at a disadvantage facing the league’s 9th-deepest LF fences given that he hits his flyballs to the pull field at a 37.6% rate (93rd percentile).
  Explain: This player’s skill set does not match up particularly well with the park he’s in today, which may lead to worse-than-usual performance.