Adam Williams presents his prediction for the MLB match.
The Miami Marlins and the Los Angeles Dodgers faced off not long ago, at the end of April. That series concluded with a clean sweep for the Los Angeles Dodgers (3:0), with the visitors amassing 34 runs across the three games. Unsurprisingly, they are once again clear favourites heading into this matchup.
Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are deep into a rebuild, prioritising the development of unproven talent with long-term potential. Unsurprisingly, this has led to poor short-term results, with the team losing seven of their last eight games. Sandy Alcantara will take the mound. The 2022 Cy Young Award winner missed all of last season due to an elbow injury and has struggled to regain his form, carrying an 8.31 ERA into this game. His record against the Los Angeles Dodgers is equally concerning: two wins in six career starts with a 9.66 ERA.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to build momentum and are closing in on top form. Even so, they currently lead the American League. Their seven-game winning streak was only recently broken in a narrow 3:4 defeat to the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers rank second in MLB for home runs (54) and third in total runs scored (182). For comparison, the Miami Marlins sit 19th and 16th respectively in those categories. The Los Angeles Dodgers lineup features several elite hitters, including Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández, and last season’s postseason standout Freddie Freeman.
Miami Marlins vs Los Angeles Dodgers Prediction
The gulf in quality is reflected not just in the lineups but also in payrolls: the Miami Marlins invest $67.9 million in salaries, while the Los Angeles Dodgers allocate $331 million. The hosts’ chances are largely theoretical, particularly given the Dodgers’ current form.
