On Tuesday evening, the Arizona Diamondbacks (69-56, 63-62 RL, 68-51-6 O/U) will face off against the Miami Marlins (46-78, 58-66 RL, 68-54-2 O/U) in the second game of their three-match series. The Diamondbacks will send Eduardo Rodriguez to the mound, while the Marlins will counter with Edward Cabrera. Currently, the Marlins lead the season series 2-1.
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Arizona’s Ambition for Division Dominance
Eduardo Rodriguez is set to take the mound for Arizona. This season, he has made only two appearances due to injury setbacks. In his recent outings, he allowed three runs in 5.2 innings against the Guardians and another three runs over five innings versus the Rockies, resulting in a no-decision in a game the Diamondbacks ultimately won. Rodriguez has yet to face the Marlins in his career, making this matchup particularly interesting.
The Diamondbacks are keen on closing the gap with the Dodgers for first place in the division. After sweeping the Rockies last week, they faced an unexpected series sweep at the hands of the Rays. Despite generating 12 runs in that series, they have maintained a relatively strong performance, losing only five games this month. Presently, Arizona sits four games behind the Dodgers and holds a wild card spot, although they are slightly below .500 in away games.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is experiencing a slump, contributing just two RBIs and posting a .640 OPS throughout August. Nevertheless, he has delivered a solid season overall, with 14 home runs and 60 RBIs to his credit. Against the Marlins this season, Gurriel Jr. has managed two RBIs and a .273 OPS. Meanwhile, Ketel Marte is dealing with an ankle injury and is not expected to participate in this game.
Arizona leads the majors with an average of 5.25 runs per game, although their pitching staff has a higher ERA of 4.46, placing them 25th in the league.
Cabrera Takes Charge for Miami
On Tuesday, Edward Cabrera will be the starting pitcher for the Marlins. In his last outing, he struggled significantly, yielding six runs over four innings against the Phillies, resulting in a loss. Despite this setback, Cabrera has recorded a respectable 3.38 ERA this month. His season statistics show a 5.76 ERA, a 1.50 WHIP, and a 2-4 record over 59.1 innings pitched. In his only previous matchup against the Diamondbacks, he allowed four runs in just 3.1 innings.
The Marlins have shown flashes of brilliance recently, scoring 10 runs in two games against the Phillies last week. However, they faced challenges in their series against the Mets, losing two of three games despite strong pitching, as they managed only six runs while limiting the Mets to 13 runs. The Marlins find themselves 15 games below .500 when playing at home.
Jesus Sanchez stands out for Miami this month, amassing nine RBIs and posting a .727 OPS. The 26-year-old slugger has had a solid season, hitting 15 home runs and driving in 48 RBIs, with a .702 OPS. Against the Diamondbacks this year, Sanchez has been particularly effective, collecting four hits and boasting a remarkable 1.1 OPS.
Miami’s offensive struggles are evident, as they average just 3.69 runs per game, ranking 28th in the league. Their pitching staff has a reported 4.58 ERA, which also places them 28th overall.
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Strategic Betting Insights for Diamondbacks vs. Marlins
The Arizona Diamondbacks have recently experienced a drop in performance, managing to score four or fewer runs in three of their last five games, including a sweeping defeat against the Rays. On the other hand, the Miami Marlins have shown resilience, achieving a balanced 3-3 record in their last six games leading up to Monday.
In addition, Eduardo Rodriguez’s limited appearances this season have resulted in six runs allowed over 10.2 innings pitched. In contrast, Marlins’ pitcher Edward Cabrera has been more effective, conceding only eight runs in his last 21 innings on the mound. Notably, Miami has secured victories in four of Cabrera’s last five starts at home.
