The Chicago Cubs host the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, September 23, with first pitch scheduled for 7:40 PM ET. Kevin Gausman gets the ball for Chicago, squaring off against Miami's Ryan Gusto in what figures to be a compelling late-season matchup on the North Side. With the regular season winding down, every game at Clark and Addison carries weight, and the Cubs will be looking to take care of business in front of the home crowd. Catch it on Marquee Sports Network or listen on 104.3 The Score.
Starting Pitchers: Kevin Gausman vs. Ryan Gusto
Gausman is the unquestioned headliner on the mound Wednesday night. The veteran right-hander has been a reliable presence in the Cubs rotation, bringing experience and a deep arsenal to every start. His forkball remains one of the tougher pitches to square up in the National League, and opposing lineups that try to sit on his fastball tend to get punished. This is the kind of late-September start where you want your steadiest arm out there, and Gausman fits that bill.
For Miami, Ryan Gusto draws the assignment. The Marlins will be leaning on him to keep Chicago's lineup off the board and give their club a chance to steal a result away from home. How Gusto handles the Wrigley Field environment and a Cubs offense motivated by the calendar will be one of the central storylines of the evening.
Keys to Watch at Wrigley Field
- Gausman's command: When Gausman is locating his forkball down in the zone consistently, hitters are in trouble. Watch whether he establishes that pitch early and forces Miami into weak contact throughout his outing.
- Cubs lineup discipline: The Cubs need to grind at-bats and work counts against Gusto. Getting into Miami's bullpen early would be a significant advantage, especially deep in the regular season when roster depth is tested.
- Marlins baserunning: Miami tends to be aggressive on the bases, and the Cubs' defense will need to stay sharp. Clean, attentive play behind Gausman keeps potential rallies from gaining momentum.
- Late-inning bullpen management: September rosters give managers options, and both dugouts will have arms available. How each team navigates the sixth inning and beyond could decide the outcome.
Prediction
Gausman at Wrigley Field on a September Wednesday night is a strong position for the Cubs to be in. He brings the kind of steady, experienced presence that tends to hold up when games matter. The Cubs should be able to generate enough offense against Gusto to give Gausman a comfortable cushion to work with. Expect a competitive game through the middle innings, but Chicago takes this one at home.
Cubs win, 4-2.
