This is an 8* SLUG-FEST on the OVER Marlins/Cubs.

The Marlins have now seen the total go UNDER the number in three straight after yesterday's 2-1 series opening loss here. And that's significant to note in our case, as Miami has in fact seen the total go OVER the number in seven of its last ten after playing to three or more straight UNDERS in a row.

And Chicago has also been playing to many UNDERS of late, having seen the total go UNDER in eight of its last ten after yesterday's win.

That's a lot of UNDERS that each side has played to of late, but this afternoon's contest finally sets up as a bit of a "slug-fest" in our opinion.

The visitors hand the ball to Pablo Lopez, who is 7-6 with a 3.41 ERA, most recently getting shelled for six runs off a career-high 12 hits over two innings in a 9-3 loss to the Mets. He's 1-2 with a 7.36 ERA over his past three starts.

The home side counters with Drew Smyly, who is 3-6 with a 4.42 ERA and who is 1-1 with a 6.06 ERA over his past four starts.

All signs point to this total flying OVER the posted number sooner, rather than later.

Good luck, NP