The Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins will continue their four-game series on Wednesday night. It's time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Dodgers-Marlins prediction and pick.
The Marlins have taken the first two games of this series in exciting fashion, with Tuesday's win coming on a walk-off error. Both games have been won by only one run, something that has to be bothering the Dodgers as they try to fight their way to the top of the NL West. Miami's playoff hopes are pretty much dead, but they would love to continue to play spoiler to one of the MLB's best teams. This should be another close game, so let's get into the pick.
Here's how the bookmakers have set the lines for Wednesday's game.
MLB Odds: Dodgers-Marlins Odds
Los Angeles Dodgers ML (-161)
Miami Marlins ML (+148)
Over 9 runs (+100)
Under 9 runs (-120)
Why The Dodgers Could Win
The Dodgers seem to have gone cold in their last couple of games, scoring only five runs in those contests. I don't expect that trend to continue, as Los Angeles will get to face Miami pitcher Ross Detwiler and the Miami relief corps on Wednesday.
Detwiler has made plenty of appearances out of the Marlins' bullpen, but this will be his first start this season. He owns an ERA of 4.15 and a 1.04 WHIP in his last seven appearances. Neither are bad stats, but the Dodgers don't have to worry too much about scoring off Detwiler. He's a reliever and most of his appearances this year have been for one inning. The rest of the Miami bullpen will have to carry the load in this game, something that Los Angeles should be looking forward to.
The Marlins have a surprisingly solid bullpen, but asking any crew of relievers to pitch eight innings against one of the best offenses in MLB is always going to be a tall order. The best pitchers in the Miami bullpen can certainly be relied on for quality innings, but this game can't just be pitched by the best relievers. Everyone will have to contribute, so the Dodgers should be able to score some easy runs off some less-than-stellar relievers.
Why The Marlins Could Win
Luckily for the Marlins, the Dodgers will also be pitching a bullpen game. Pitcher Jake Reed will get his first start of the season for Los Angeles.
Reed has only made one appearance out of the bullpen for the Dodgers this year, and it came in Tuesday's contest. Reed got two outs but gave up three hits, a walk and one earned run. Los Angeles will probably only ask Reed to get through one inning, but that one inning provides a great opportunity for the Marlins to put up some runs.
The Dodgers will also have the same problem as the Marlins. They have some premium bullpen arms, but they're gonna need some help from less talented relievers to win. Miami should be able to tee off on those relievers to help propel them to a win, despite their recent offensive struggles.
Final Dodgers-Marlins Prediction & Pick
With both teams pitching bullpen games, the over is an easy pick. I have no idea why the line is set at only nine runs, as there's no reason to believe in either squads' pitching situation. There's a decent chance the Dodgers crack the over on their own.
FINAL PICK: Over 9 runs (+100)
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