Miami @ Chicago preview

Miami at Chi. Cubs

Last Meeting ( Sep 2, 2013 ) Miami 4, Chi. Cubs 3

The Miami Marlins have struggled away from home - to put it mildly - but they have a chance for a third consecutive road victory when they continue a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. The Marlins haven't won three straight on the road since taking two from the New York Mets on June 8-9 and claiming the first game in Arizona on June 17. But they've run into a Cubs team that has had just as much trouble winning at home - Chicago has dropped 18 of its last 23 at Wrigley Field.

The Marlins got home runs from rookie Christian Yelich and pitcher Henderson Alvarez in a 4-3 win Monday as they started a month 2-0 for the third time this season. They also won their first two contests in June and August. Both teams should have some new faces in the clubhouse Tuesday with rosters expanding and both squads well out of playoff contention, but neither manager talked specifics when speaking to reporters about September call-ups after Monday's game.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Tom Koehler (3-9, 4.72 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Edwin Jackson (7-14, 4.90)

A former 18th-round pick, Koehler has shown flashes in his first full season in the majors, but he is 0-3 with a 5.93 ERA in his last five starts. The Nationals tagged him for six runs on seven hits over five innings in a loss last time out. Koehler has faced the Cubs only once, throwing a scoreless inning in relief earlier this season.

After a strong month of July, Jackson was brutal in August, going 0-3 with a 5.97 ERA in five starts. He did record a quality start his last time out, allowing four runs - two earned - on six hits over 6 2/3 innings in a 4-0 loss to the Dodgers. The 29-year-old has struggled against the Marlins, going 1-6 with a 6.39 ERA in nine meetings (eight starts), including an 0-3 mark last year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs OF Ryan Sweeney is 3-for-7 with a double and an RBI in two games since returning from a fractured left rib that landed him on the disabled list June 29.

2. After going 3-for-4 in the series opener, Yelich is 10-for-22 over his last six contests with multiple hits in four of them.

3. Chicago SS Starlin Castro has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games, going 13-for-42 over that span.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Marlins 5