Marlins vs. Cubs: Start time, how to watch, game thread and Fish Picks—August 14, 2021

Welcome to Saturday’s Marlins (49-67, -13 RD) vs. Cubs (52-66, -82 RD) game thread.

During every Marlins game, join in on the Fish Picks prop bets fun. They give you something to focus on even with the team out of World Series contention. Please use this link!

Picks are only valid if submitted to us prior to first pitch.

The Fish Picks leaderboard is updated daily. Nobody picked a Perfect Game on Friday.

At the end of each month, the Fish Picks winner—whoever has the percentage of correct picks (among qualifiers)—will receive a hand-painted Trevor Rogers baseball card.

Everybody’s point totals have been reset for the start of August.

Cubs Starting Lineup

1. CF Rafael Ortega
2. 1B Frank Schwindel
3. 3B Patrick Wisdom
4. LF Ian Happ
5. 2B David Bote
6. C Austin Romine
7. RF Greg Deichmann
8. SS Sergio Alcantara
9. RHP Zach Davies (2021 season stats: 5.26 ERA, 5.14 FIP, 16.3 K%, 44.2 HardHit% in 114.2 IP)

Baseball Savant

Notes: The Cubs stumble into the day on a nine-game losing streak...They’ll be relying on Davies to provide some length—Chicago’s bullpen is pretty drained after working 23 ¹⁄₃ innings over the previous four days.

Marlins Starting Lineup

1. SS Miguel Rojas
2. 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr.
3. 1B Jesús Aguilar
4. CF Lewis Brinson
5. 3B Brian Anderson
6. LF Jorge Alfaro
7. C Alex Jackson
8. RF Bryan De La Cruz
9. RHP Zach Thompson (2021 season stats: 3.09 ERA, 3.78 FIP, 23.0 K%, 40.3 HardHit% in 46.2 IP)

Baseball Savant

Notes: Thompson is on the verge of graduating from my Marlins top prospects list. Check that link after the game for updated rankings and player notes...Jorge Guzman is being recalled for the first time this season, though I suspect his stint will be a very brief one (need to make room for Elieser Hernandez and eventually Trevor Rogers)...Jorge Alfaro has a .357/.400/.536 slash line as a left fielder (eight games)...The most well-rested pitchers available in the Marlins bullpen are Anthony Bass, Richard Bleier, Paul Campbell, Ross Detwiler, Dylan Floro, Steven Okert and Guzman.

How to watch/listen/follow

First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. ET. Watch on Bally Sports Florida or listen to the radio broadcast on 940 WINZ.

Daniel Rodriguez (@Drodyyy) is at LoanDepot Park as a credentialed reporter. Alex Krutchik will handle the game recap article.

All Marlins full-season minor league affiliates except for Triple-A Jacksonville are also in action (weather permitting). Follow @FishProspects for notes and highlights.

Fish Picks

Please submit your picks for the following props. The contest locks at first pitch.

1. Which starting pitcher lasts longer? (Zach Davies/Zach Thompson)
2. Over/Under 2.5 total home runs? (Over/Under)
3. Over/Under 9.5 swings taken by Jazz Chisholm Jr.? (Over/Under)
4. Will Brian Anderson get a hit? (Yes/No)
5. Who wins? (Cubs/Marlins)