The Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins will conclude a four-game set at loanDepot park on Thursday afternoon. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Dodgers-Marlins prediction and pick.
Miami will be looking to complete the improbable sweep against the Dodgers. Despite the fact that the Marlins are looking to complete the sweep, this series have been extremely competitive. After two straight one-run games, the Marlins won the third game by just three runs on Wednesday. Los Angeles will look to salvage the series as they can't afford to take a sweep like this in the loaded NL West.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Dodgers-Marlins odds.
MLB Odds: Dodgers-Marlins Odds
Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (+101)
Miami Marlins +1.5 (-121)
Over 7.5 Runs (-102)
Under 7.5 Runs (-118)
Why The Dodgers Could Cover The Spread
The Los Angeles Dodgers couldn't have pictured a worse trip to Miami. They were on a nine-game winning streak heading into this series and are now looking to avoid a four-game sweep against the last-place team in the NL East. Despite the losses, the Dodgers are still just 1.5 games back of the Giants in the NL West and could certainly use a win on Thursday to erase their memory and get back on track.
The Dodgers are one of the most complete teams in baseball despite their recent issues. The Dodgers rank fourth in runs scored and third in runs allowed per game in the Majors this season. Los Angeles has a +1.02 run differential in road games this season as well. The lineup is fairly healthy now with just Corey Seager remaining on the shelf. The pitching staff is a bit depleted with Clayton Kershaw and Trevor Bauer out.
Los Angeles will hand the ball to left-hander Julio Urias as they look to avoid disaster in Miami. Urias has been solid for the Dodgers with a 10-3 record and 3.81 ERA through 17 starts. The young southpaw was very effective in his last start with six innings of one-run ball against the Nationals last weekend. He will look to build off of that start against a Marlins lineup that has struggled for most of the season.
Why The Marlins Could Cover The Spread
The Miami Marlins are a fairly competitive team that has struggled to find any sort of consistency this season. They dropped two out of three games against the Braves heading into this series and are now looking to complete a four-game sweep against the juggernaut Dodgers. They've also been a tale of two stories as they are 21-18 at home and 17-29 on the road. The Marlins are 5-1 in their last six home games to date.
Miami's offense has been hot recently with at least five runs in three of their last four games coming in. They exploded for nine runs on Wednesday and will look to bring that confidence into the series finale. The Marlins are now averaging just 4.01 runs per game, which is fourth-to-last in the Majors. Their pitching staff has been very impressive however and their +0.82 run differential at home explains their winning record.
The Marlins will hand the ball to right-hander Sandy Alcantara as they look to complete the sweep. Alcantara has been impressive with a 5-7 record and 2.96 ERA through 18 starts. The young right-hander has a 2.27 ERA over his last seven starts as well. He delivered six innings of shutout ball against the Braves in his last start. Alcantara will look to build on his career year with an impressive showing against one of the league's best offensive clubs.
Final Dodgers-Marlins Prediction & Pick
The disparity between these two clubs is clear as day and there is no way that the Dodgers will get swept by the Miami Marlins. Credit to the Marlins for what they've done through the first three games, but the Dodgers are a far better ball club. Los Angeles may have needed this wakeup call and we will see how they respond in the finale. Julio Urias has actually been better on the road and I expect him to excel in the role of stopper. The Marlins lack of offense will finally show.
FINAL DODGERS-MARLINS PREDICTION AND PICK: Los Angeles Dodgers ML (-155)
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