The Los Angeles Dodgers are hitting the road and hoping to start fresh Monday night as they face the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park. After seeing their seven-game winning streak snapped with a close 4-3 loss to Atlanta on Sunday, the Dodgers will look to reset against a Marlins team that’s also coming off a narrow defeat.
It’s a fresh start for both clubs, but Los Angeles enters this one as the heavy favorite. The Dodgers sit atop the National League West with a 23-11 record, while the Marlins are struggling at 13-20, sitting fifth in the NL East.
Let’s break down what makes this matchup so interesting and what fans should watch for when the first pitch is thrown at 6:40 p.m. ET.
Why are the Dodgers favored to win?
There’s plenty of firepower in the Dodgers lineup, and they’ve dominated the recent head-to-head history against Miami, winning 9 of their last 10 meetings. That kind of dominance doesn’t go unnoticed, and oddsmakers have Los Angeles as a -212 favorite on the money line.
But it’s not just about the numbers. The Dodgers are getting key contributions from stars across the roster, especially designated hitter Shohei Ohtani. In 32 games this season, Ohtani is hitting .294 with eight home runs and 35 runs scored. He’s a spark in the lineup and seems to shine when the lights are brightest.
Ohtani had a standout game Saturday in a 10-3 win over Atlanta, going 3-for-4 with a homer and three runs scored. And his career numbers against Miami? Pretty solid. He’s batting .274 with six homers and 17 RBIs in 16 games against the Marlins.
On the mound, the Dodgers will start with lefty reliever Jack Dreyer, but it’s right-hander Ben Casparius who’s expected to handle most of the innings. Casparius has been quietly consistent this year, going 3-0 with a 2.91 ERA across 21.2 innings. He struck out five in his last outing and hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last two appearances.
Can the Marlins pull off an upset at home?
It won’t be easy, but the Marlins have a few things going for them. Right-hander Sandy Alcantara will take the mound for Miami. His ERA isn’t pretty at 8.31, but he’s had flashes of control. In three of his six starts this season, he’s allowed three earned runs or fewer. That includes a win over the Mets where he pitched five strong innings with no walks and just two earned runs.
The Marlins will also be hoping Kyle Stowers can stay hot at the plate. He’s been one of the team’s most reliable hitters, batting .321 with six home runs and 25 RBIs through 31 games. Stowers lit up the Dodgers last Wednesday, going 4-for-4 with two homers and four RBIs. Then he followed that with another two-homer performance against the Athletics on Saturday.
If Stowers can stay in that zone and Alcantara can find a rhythm early, the Marlins have a shot to keep this game close or even steal one at home.
What do the odds say?
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Dodgers are -212 favorites, while the Marlins sit at +175. The over/under is set at 9.5 runs, and both teams have been trending over lately. The over has hit in 7 of the Dodgers’ last 10 games and 7 of the Marlins’ last 9.
The run line is also worth noting. Los Angeles is -1.5 on the spread at -136, which means oddsmakers think a multi-run win is very possible.
SportsLine’s computer model leans toward the over in this matchup, projecting around 10 total runs. The model also sees clear value on one side of the money line, though you’ll need to check SportsLine directly for the official pick.
Who’s the better pick tonight?
It’s hard to bet against the Dodgers here. They have the deeper lineup, a more balanced bullpen, and a solid arm in Casparius expected to handle most of the game. Add in Ohtani’s power and the team’s recent dominance over Miami, and the odds seem fair.
But Miami isn’t completely outmatched. With Stowers swinging a hot bat and Alcantara capable of a bounce-back performance, the Marlins could keep it interesting — especially if they strike early.
Will the Dodgers get back in the win column? Can Miami’s offense keep pace with L.A.’s lineup?
