Dodgers vs Marlins July 8 Preview and Best Bets: Why You Should Back Value and Fade the Dodgers as Marlins Seek Surprising Sweep

The Dodgers are a great team, and there is a reason why they remain the MLB betting favorite to win the World Series. But this season we have seen them go through some times where they really struggle. This is one of those times as the Marlins go for the four-game sweep this afternoon.

L.A. has depth unlike any other team in the NL, but maybe it is being pushed too hard. The latest test is starting pitcher Trevor Bauer being unavailable due to off the field issues. At some point, something has got to give.

Miami came into the season knowing what it was and hoping for the best. They are one of the few teams that can come close to matching the Dodgers in terms of starting pitching, but as predicted consistent offense has been a struggle.

The Marlins are a winning team at home, posting a 21-18 record. However, there is a lot of work to do if they are going to get into the race in the NL East. It seems like nobody wants to win that division, but Miami is at the bottom for now.

Los Angeles Dodgers (53-34) vs Miami Marlins (38-47), MLB Network, 12:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Los Angeles Dodgers: Julio Urias (10-3, 3.81 ERA)
• Miami Marlins: Sandy Alcantara (5-7, 2.96 ERA)

Dodgers vs Marlins Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Los Angeles -167, Miami +139
• Total: OVER 7.5 (+101), UNDER 7.5 (-122)
• Run Line: Los Angeles -1.5 (+105), Miami -1.5 (-126)

Odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Thursday, July 8 at 9:01 am ET. For MLB betting odds for today’s other matchups, check out our MLB odds.

Dodgers vs. Marlins Betting Consensus

• Moneyline: Los Angeles 80%, Miami 20%
• Total: Over 60%, Under 40%
• Run Line: Los Angeles 40%, Miami 60%

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Miami Marlins July 8 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

Streaky Dodgers Look to Upset Momentum

When the Dodgers are on a losing streak it is pretty confounding, especially this one because they were running so hot before they landed in Miami. This is a team that has been favored in every game but two this season, so they are not supposed to be losing much. All three losses were close, and those are definitely the kind of games you expect the Dodgers to win against a team like the Marlins. This team is really deep, but the lineup is lacking that one player having a truly great season.

The Dodgers’ starting depth is going to be challenged with Bauer’s situation and now Clayton Kershaw landing on the Injured List. They are tops in the Majors in ERA, but it looks like the All-Star break might be coming at just the right time. In the past 10 games, we have seen some starters we were not expecting. Is there a move to be made to shore up this group?

Miami Can Pitch and Looks to Have Mound Advantage Today

The lone constant for the Marlins has been a starting staff that has helped post the 5th best ERA in the league. Miami is 9th in quality starts this season, a ranking that is pretty high for a last-place club. That strength gives them a chance to get on a run, but they have to find some offense too. Only twice all season have they won more than three games in a row.

At the plate, they are averaging less than four runs per game. OF Adam Duvall is having a nice season, leading the team in homers and RBIs. But beyond his 19 dingers, only one other player has double-digit homers. I know offense has been down around the league for most of the season, but you still need to be able to run into some homers sometimes or there is too much pressure to string together hits. That said, the Marlins did score nine runs last night, so potential is there.

Julio Urias Home vs. Away

• Home: 3-1, 4.27 ERA, 46.1 IP, 51 Ks, 10 BBs
• Away: 7-2, 3.40, 53 IP, 59 Ks, 11 BBs

Sandy Alcantara Home vs. Away

• Home: 1-3, 2.61 ERA, 58.2 IP, 52 Ks, 14 BBs
• Away: 4-4, 3.33 ERA, 54 IP, 45 Ks, 19 BBs

It does not happen much, but the Dodgers do not have the edge on the mound on Thursday. L.A. is 13-4 when Urias starts, but if you swapped their uniforms I think Alcantara could have just as much success. Urias has never popped the way most thought he would from his prospect days. Alcantara is not going to wow you with dominant stats, but at the end of most of his starts, he has been in there longer and outpitched the opposition.

Dodgers vs. Marlins Best Bet: Marlins ML – Fading the Dodgers is not a fun proposition, but it is a profitable one this season. If you had blindly faded them you would be up a couple of units for the year. I like Alcantara a lot in this spot. The offense is feeling good, and their best hitters bat from the right side. Miami has a positive ROI at home and is worth backing to complete the sweep tonight.

July 8 MLB Betting Matchups – National League

MLB Betting Matchup: Colorado Rockies vs Arizona Diamondbacks, Bally Sports Arizona, 3:40 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Colorado Rockies: Chi Chi Gonzalez (2-5, 5.52 ERA)
• Arizona Diamondbacks: Jake Faria (0-0, 5.25 ERA)

Colorado Rockies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks July 8 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Pittsburgh Pirates vs New York Mets, Bally Sports SNY, 7:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Pittsburgh Pirates: JT Brubaker (4-8, 4.09 ERA)
• New York Mets: Taijuan Walker (7-3, 2.44 ERA)

Pittsburgh Pirates vs New York Mets July 8 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Philadelphia Phillies vs Chicago Cubs, Marquee Sports Network, 8:05 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Philadelphia Phillies: Zach Eflin (3-6, 4.13 ERA)
• Chicago Cubs: Adbert Alzolay (4-8, 4.48 ERA)

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Chicago Cubs July 8 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, Bally Sports Wisconsin, 8:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Cincinnati Reds: Tyler Mahle (7-3, 3.63 ERA)
• Milwaukee Brewers: Adrian Houser (5-5, 3.94 ERA

Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers July 8 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Washington Nationals vs San Diego Padres, Bally Sports San Diego, 10:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Washington Nationals: Max Scherzer (7-4, 2.10 ERA)
• San Diego Padres: Yu Darvish (7-3, 2.65 ERA)

Washington Nationals vs. San Diego Padres July 8 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More