The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently the best team in baseball. But they’ll have to head all the way down to Florida to take on the Miami Marlins on a weekend road trip.
The Marlins are lined up to have their top two pitchers take the hill against the Dodgers. Could this be a problem for Los Angeles?
Let’s see what the MLB odds tell us at the best sportsbooks!
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Miami Marlins
Friday, August 26, 2022 – 06:40 PM EDT at IoanDepot
Friday’s Probable Pitchers
Los Angeles Dodgers
Although it’s not confirmed, it’s likely that we’ll see Tyler Anderson get the ball for the Dodgers to open up this series. Anderson has a 5.51 xFIP in the last 30 days and has struck out just 15.9% of batters in that time frame.
The left-hander doesn’t have much to worry about against the Marlins but there are some right-handed bats that can slug lefties in their lineup.
Lately, Anderson has still minimized extra-base hits and has pitched better to righties than lefties.
Miami Marlins
On the other hand, the Marlins will likely send out Bryan Hoeing, who joined the team once Braxton Garrett was sent down.
Hoeing made his MLB debut against the Dodgers last week and things didn’t exactly go as planned. He hasn’t been confirmed as the starter just yet but at this point, I’m going to believe he’ll get another shot in this one.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Miami Marlins
Saturday, August 27, 2022 – 06:10 PM EDT at IoanDepot
Saturday’s Probable Pitchers
Los Angeles Dodgers
Dustin May returned to the diamond last week and looked sensational. He’s going to get another opportunity against the Marlins over the weekend after posting a 1.61 xFIP with 50% of strikeouts.
He induced over 71% of ground balls in that first game back and looked like he could be a huge piece for the Dodgers moving forward.
Miami Marlins
May will take on Sandy Alcantara, who is currently running away with the NL Cy Young award.
He didn’t have his best stuff against the Dodgers last week, but ultimately, he’s still pitching extremely well and giving the Marlins a legitimate chance to win every game he pitches in.
He’s earning over 50% of ground balls and limiting line drives to 20%. He’s also kept walks down but will need to earn a higher amount of strikeouts to close the year out.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Miami Marlins
Sunday, August 28, 2022 – 12:05 PM EDT at IoanDepot
Sunday’s Probable Pitchers
Los Angeles Dodgers
It’s looking like Ryan Pepiot will get the finale against the Marlins. The rookie right-hander has a 6.69 xFIP in the last 30 days but continues to escape damage with a .212 BABIP.
He’s even walked 15.2% of batters and has induced just 15.8% of ground balls. But that still hasn’t mattered for Pepiot. He’s limiting line drives and working his way out of jams.
Miami Marlins
On the other hand, Edward Cabrera, another rookie, will take the hill for the Marlins. He’s been sensational, holing a 3.64 xFIP in the last 30 days with 33.3% of strikeouts.
Cabrera has been unhittable but didn’t face the Dodgers during their series on the road. Los Angeles is going to be his toughest test yet, but I think he’ll up for the challenge.
Offenses Analysis
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers will likely face three righties over the weekend. We’re unsure about what the Marlins will do on Friday, so if it’s a lefty pitcher, know that Mookie Betts and Trea Turner have done damage to lefties but other than those two, the Dodgers have been quiet offensively when facing a lefty.
Against righties, the Dodgers have way more potential when it comes to power. They’re able to add left-handed sluggers like Joey Gallo and Cody Bellinger into the lineup. Meanwhile, lefties like Max Muncy and Freddie Freeman have been doing their thing recently against righties too.
Against righties, the Dodgers have hit just 38.4% of ground balls while hitting over 22% of line drives. Facing Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera won’t be easy, but the Dodgers have already had success against Alcantara last week.
Miami Marlins
On the other hand, the Marlins will take on one lefty and two righties in the weekend series. Against lefties, the Marlins have power from Jesus Aguilar, Nick Fortes, and Jerar Encarnacion. However, they’ve struck out 28.2% of the time against lefties in the last 30 days.
Against righties, the Marlins are really struggling offensively, hitting just a .134 ISO and wOBA of .292 at the time of writing this with their projected lineup. That’s not going to cut it against May but the Marlins should still have scoring chances against Pepiot.
Dodgers vs. Marlins: Series Prediction
For my MLB picks, I’ve got the Dodgers winning the series but think the Marlins could steal one on either Saturday or Sunday with terrific pitching.
