The Chicago Cubs head to Miami for a Saturday afternoon tilt against the Marlins, with first pitch scheduled for 4:10 PM ET at loanDepot park. Javier Assad gets the ball for Chicago against Miami's Ryan Gusto in what figures to be a pitchers' duel between two clubs looking to finish the regular season strong. With rosters expanding in September, both sides will have options available, but the starting pitching matchup sets the tone for how this one unfolds.

Pitching Matchup: Assad vs. Gusto

Javier Assad draws the start for the Cubs. The right-hander has been a fixture in Chicago's rotation and brings a dependable arm to a ballpark that can play unpredictably depending on the Florida heat and humidity. Assad's ability to generate weak contact and work through lineups efficiently will be tested against a Marlins lineup that mixes veterans with younger contributors.

Ryan Gusto starts for Miami. The Cubs will be seeing him up close for this one, and the approach at the plate — working counts, making him throw quality pitches — will be critical for Chicago's offense to generate early traffic.

Cubs Lineup to Watch

Manager David Ross sends out a lineup with plenty of recognizable names. Pete Crow-Armstrong leads off from center field, followed by Seiya Suzuki in right. The middle of the order features Michael Busch at first base, Alex Bregman at third, and Ian Happ in left — a stretch of the lineup that carries legitimate run-production upside. Nico Hoerner bats sixth at shortstop, with Pedro Ramírez, Michael Conforto, and Miguel Amaya rounding out the card.

Marlins Lineup

Miami sends out Kyle Stowers leading off as the designated hitter, with Heriberto Hernández in left and Griffin Conine at first base. Otto Lopez slots in at cleanup at shortstop. Jakob Marsee handles center field, with Owen Caissie in right. Joe Mack catches, Graham Pauley plays third, and Javier Sanoja bats ninth at second base. It's a lineup with youth and energy that the Cubs cannot take lightly.

Keys to the Game for the Cubs

• Assad's command: The Cubs need Assad to stay efficient, avoid deep counts, and keep Miami's lineup off the bases early.
• Crow-Armstrong setting the table: If PCA gets on base at the top of the order, Chicago's middle-of-the-lineup hitters — Busch, Bregman, and Happ — have the ability to do damage.
• Bregman's run production: Batting cleanup, Bregman carries significant responsibility in the heart of the order. His at-bats in runners-on situations could define the game.
• Avoiding the big inning: loanDepot park's dimensions can play into power hitters' hands. The Cubs bullpen needs to be ready if Assad runs into trouble in the middle innings.

Prediction

This is a winnable road game for the Cubs. Assad is capable of giving Chicago a quality start, and the lineup from top to bottom has enough firepower to generate runs against Gusto. Bregman and Happ are the names to watch in the clutch. Cubs take this one, 4-2, with Assad going six solid innings and the bullpen closing it out cleanly.

Catch the game on Marquee Sports Network on TV or on 104.3 The Score on FM radio.