The Chicago Cubs head to loanDepot park in Miami for a 1:40 PM ET first pitch on Sunday, September 6, 2026, sending Clay Holmes to the hill against the Marlins' Tyler Phillips. With the regular season deep into its final stretch, every game carries weight in the standings, and this road contest gives Chicago a chance to pick up a crucial series win against a young Miami club still building toward the future. Catch the action on Marquee Sports Network or 104.3 The Score.

Pitching Matchup: Clay Holmes vs. Tyler Phillips

Holmes gets the ball for the Cubs in what is a significant regular-season assignment. The right-hander will look to keep the Cubs in contention with a strong outing on the road. Phillips takes the mound for Miami, a young arm the Marlins have been developing. Without current ERA or record figures available for either starter, the focus shifts to execution on the day rather than the numbers on paper.

Chicago Cubs Starting Lineup

• Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
• Seiya Suzuki, RF
• Michael Busch, 1B
• Alex Bregman, 3B
• Ian Happ, LF
• Nico Hoerner, SS
• Pedro Ramírez, 2B
• Michael Conforto, DH
• Carson Kelly, C

Miami Marlins Starting Lineup

• Kyle Stowers, DH
• Griffin Conine, 1B
• Owen Caissie, RF
• Jakob Marsee, CF
• Heriberto Hernández, LF
• Joe Mack, C
• Otto Lopez, SS
• Graham Pauley, 3B
• Javier Sanoja, 2B

Keys to Watch for the Cubs

• Pete Crow-Armstrong setting the table: Leading off, PCA needs to get on base and use his speed to create early pressure against Phillips. His ability to work counts and cover ground in center field is central to how this Cubs offense functions.
• Bregman and Happ delivering with runners on: The heart of this order — Bregman batting cleanup and Happ at five — needs to cash in opportunities. If Suzuki and Busch are doing their jobs in front of them, those two have to produce.
• Holmes limiting damage early: Road starts can go sideways fast, especially in a hitter-friendly environment. Holmes will need to establish command early and avoid deep counts that force his pitch count up before the middle innings.
• Nico Hoerner in the six-hole: Hoerner batting sixth rather than near the top is worth noting. His contact skills and ability to move runners can make the bottom third of this order more dangerous than opponents expect.

Prediction

The Cubs have the lineup depth to do real damage against a developing Marlins pitching staff. Miami's young position players — Caissie, Marsee, and Mack — are interesting pieces, but this Cubs lineup from top to bottom is built to grind through at-bats and manufacture runs. If Holmes gives Chicago five or six quality innings, the bullpen can close it out. Cubs win, 5-3.