Miami at Chicago

The inexperienced Miami Marlins go up against the Cubs and Kyle Hendricks, who started Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. The right-hander finished the regular season 6-5 with a sparkling 2.88 ERA, and Hendricks has allowed only six earned runs his last five starts in 37 1/3 innings pitched. Chicago won four of those games and the Cubs have beaten the Marlins 18 of the last 24 meetings. The Cubs are 22-6 in the first game of a series dating to last season and the Cubs have won nine of their last 12 after an off day. Miami is 20-41 vs. NL Central teams and it will go with Sandy Alcantara, who is 3-2 while allowing 14 earned runs in 42 innings. However, the right-hander has a 5.40 ERA while giving up nine runs (six earned) in 10 innings in day games this season. Miami is 34-71 its last 105 games vs. right-handed starters. Take the Cubs.