For the only time this year, the Oakland Athletics and Miami Marlins will cross paths for a three-game series, beginning Monday night at RingCentral Coliseum.
The last time these two clubs faced one another was in June 2017. They’ve only played 16 times in history. Let’s size up this battle before making some Marlins vs. Athletics betting predictions.
Teams’ Previous Scoreboards
Marlins Scoreboard
Miami (52-69) dropped a 10-3 decision on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday. That game — and this one — is part of a 13-game stretch against California opponents.
In the matchup with the Dodgers, normally-dependable hurler Sandy Alcantara got tagged with six earned runs in 3.2 innings pitched and wound up with the loss, as well.
The Marlins were out-hit by ten knocks. First baseman Lewin Diaz accounted for a good deal of his side’s offense, registering two hits and driving a pair across.
Athletics Scoreboard
The Athletics (45-77) took home a victory in hosting Seattle Sunday. Both designated hitter Sean Murphy and catcher Shea Langliers enjoyed multi-hit performances. The latter had a triple and drove a run-in.
Athletics vs. Marlins Betting Analysis
Athletics Analysis
Oakland has come out on the right side of two contests in a row — both against the Mariners — and four of six after a four-game series split with Texas.
The Athletics are the furthest out of first place in their division of any American League squad. They’re 32.5 games behind the AL West-leading Houston Astros.
Athletics’ Most Important Offensive Piece
Backstop Sean Murphy has been the Athletics’ most important offensive piece, as he paces the order with a .252 batting average, 53 RBIs, a .333 on-base percentage, and 101 total base knocks.
First baseman Seth Brown has gone deep a team-best 17 times, while Murphy follows closely behind with 16 long balls.
Two other Oakland players have belted double-digit homers, one being left fielder Chad Pinder. Each individual in that club has struck out at least 89 times.
The Athletics recently dropped shortstop Elvis Andrus and right fielder Stephen Piscotty. With those two contracts off the books, Oakland has an extremely low payroll. The playing field doesn’t even compare to most other teams in the league.
Adam Oller’s Analysis
Righty Adam Oller will take the hill for the hosts. He has a 6.63 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP up until now. He’s 2-5 over ten starts, 15 appearances in total.
Against Texas last Wednesday, he went six frames, allowing only one run on five hits. He also struck out four batters.
He’ll be headed into this one aiming to build on what was arguably his best start of the campaign. But what about the team that he’ll be tasked with keeping off the board?
Marlins Analysis
Miami faces what is basically an insurmountable deficit in the NL East, as they’re 26 games behind the division-leading New York Mets.
The Marlins are 2-8 over their last ten outings, which is tied with Pittsburgh as the worst record over that stretch of games right now.
Miami is 14 games out of a wild card spot as it stands. The odds are against them making the playoffs.
MLB Team Stats
MLB team stats have the Marlins grading out as the sixth-worst team with the bats when it comes to the team average. They’re hitting a combined (.232) and haven’t had an easy team with driving in base runners, either.
Their 419 total RBIs and 444 runs scored are both the fourth-fewest in the majors at this juncture. They also rank in MLB’s bottom third when it comes to home runs, as well.
First baseman Jesus Aguilar has been key for Miami. He leads the squad with a .236 batting average, 15 home runs, 48 RBIs, a .287 on-base percentage, and 96 total hits.
Only four batters have clubbed at least ten homers for them — with two being out with injuries at the moment. The others — Aguilar and center fielder Jesus Sanchez — have combined for 15 dingers on the road.
Batter’s Box
Over the last week, catcher Jacob Stallings has done well in the batter’s box, putting up a .357 batting average in 14 plate appearances. He’s scored a run and driven in two more during that span.
Right-hander Pablo Lopez will take the mound for Miami in this one, sporting a 3.83 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He’s 7-8 over 24 starts thus far.
The Marlins haven’t been doing all that well with him out there recently, as they’ve fallen short in five of his last six, including four in a row.
Against San Diego last Wednesday, he went 4.2 innings, allowing six hits and just as many earned runs in a 10-3 defeat.
MLB Injury Report
Before we tell you our Marlins vs. Athletics betting predictions, we must account for who won’t be suiting up.
Right fielder Ramon Laureano is on the 10-day injured list with an oblique injury. He took 15 swings against air on Saturday. Center fielder Skye Bolt is day-to-day with left knee soreness.
The Marlins are missing second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., who’s been out since being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his back late last month. Left Fielder Jorge Soler’s back is bothering him, too, and he’s on the 10-day-injured list.
Oakland Athletics vs. Miami Marlins Betting Preview
Taking a peek at the MLB odds today, the visitors are favored to take home a win. Miami is -1.5 on the run line at +128, while the Athletics are -154 to cover the spread.
On the moneyline, the Marlins are -142 and Oakland a +120 underdog. The total has been set at seven runs, with the over being -115 and the under -105 at the time of this writing.
Oakland Athletics vs. Miami Marlins Betting Prediction
Let’s make some Marlins vs. Athletics betting predictions. There are a handful of MLB games today that will have playoff implications now that we’re on the final stretch. This surely isn’t one of them, but it remains an interesting meeting.
This clash figures to be a toss-up between a pair of teams who haven’t seen each other in a half-decade and haven’t crossed paths that many times at all.
Who to Bet On?
Being that both offenses are relatively ordinary on their best days, it will probably be best as a bettor to focus on the pitching duel.
Go with Oller’s momentum. When you’re making your MLB picks today, be sure to take Oakland to win outright. Hop on any online sportsbook and take the Athletics moneyline.
MLB Pick: Athletics +1.5 (-145)
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