The Chicago Cubs head to loanDepot park in Miami for a Friday night regular season showdown against the Marlins, with first pitch set for 7:10 PM ET on September 4, 2026. Shota Imanaga gets the ball for Chicago, squaring off against Miami's Janson Junk in a matchup that carries real September weight for a Cubs club looking to make every game count down the stretch. Cubs fans can catch the action on Marquee Sports Network or tune in on 104.3 The Score.
Starting Pitchers: Imanaga vs. Junk
Imanaga is the clear headliner in this pitching matchup. The left-hander has been one of the most reliable arms in the Cubs rotation this season, and getting him out there on a Friday night road start is exactly the kind of deployment manager Craig Counsell leans on when the Cubs need a quality outing. Imanaga's arsenal — featuring a sharp slider and deceptive delivery — gives Chicago a genuine advantage against most lineups.
Junk takes the hill for Miami. The Marlins right-hander has shown flashes of competitiveness, but facing a Cubs offense with legitimate lineup depth is a different challenge than many of his previous starts. This is a favorable matchup on paper for Chicago's hitters.
Keys to Watch for the Cubs
- Imanaga's command early: If he gets ahead in counts, the Cubs have a chance to keep Miami's offense off the board through the middle innings. His ability to work efficiently is critical in road starts.
- Making Junk work: The Cubs offense needs to grind at-bats, work pitch counts, and make Junk throw strikes. Getting into Miami's bullpen early would be a significant advantage.
- Road situational hitting: The Cubs can't afford to strand runners in scoring position in a game like this. Timely hitting — not just loud contact — is what wins September road games.
- Bullpen management: Should Imanaga exit before the seventh, the back end of Chicago's relief corps will need to be sharp. September roster depth gives Counsell options — using them wisely matters.
Game Prediction
This one sets up well for the Cubs. Imanaga is a legitimate difference-maker at the top of the rotation, and Junk is a matchup Chicago should be able to exploit. Expect the Cubs offense to generate enough against Miami's starter to give Imanaga the cushion he needs. The Marlins aren't without their own capable pieces, so this won't be a blowout — but Chicago's pitching edge is real. Cubs win, 4-2.
