Reds vs Marlins Predictions Point To Cincinnati Series Win

Two last-place teams square off this week when the Miami Marlins host the MLB World Series odds, but this should still be a fun and entertaining series for your betting.

Cincinnati (53-58) is coming off a series loss to the Chicago Cubs, and are 6.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot in the National League.

The Marlins have already started looking toward 2025, dealing away a number of players at the trade deadline to give younger players a chance. Miami (42-70) is on a two-game winning streak but is in last place in the NL East, sitting nine games behind the fourth-place Washington Nationals.

• The Reds vs Marlins MLB predictions for the series opener are giving the odds edge to Cincinnati, which is listed at -140 on the moneyline. Miami is +125 to win the first game outright.
• Betting on the run line can get you the Marlins at -135 when getting 1.5 runs, while the Reds are +115 when giving those runs. The over/under for Monday’s contest is set at 8.5 runs, with the over getting -115 odds and the under -105.

Looking at the MLB schedule 2024, the first three games of this series are set for 6:40 p.m. ET starts, while the final contest is slated for a 6:10 p.m. ET first pitch on Thursday. All games will be played at loanDepot park in Miami.

Reds vs Marlins: Pitching Matchups

Right-hander Nick Martinez will get the start in the series opener for Cincinnati. Martinez has made 31 appearances this season, with five of them being starts. He has a 5-5 record with a 3.65 ERA, striking out 63 in 79 innings. He last pitched on Friday against the Giants, going an inning in relief and allowing two hits, including a solo home run, while striking out two. This will be the 34-year-old’s first start since late May.

The Marlins will send right-hander Roddery Munoz to the mound for Monday’s contest. Munoz is 2-5 with a 5.45 ERA in his first MLB campaign, striking out 57 in 66 innings over 13 appearances, including 12 starts. Munoz picked up a win in his last outing, facing the Tampa Bay Rays last Wednesday and going five innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out seven and walking one.

The Reds will have lefty Nick Lodolo starting Tuesday’s game as he tries to bounce back from an ugly outing. Lodolo is 8-4 with a 3.99 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 97 innings over 17 starts.

He had his worst start of the season last Wednesday against the Cubs, going 5.2 innings and giving up eight runs on 11 hits while striking out six and walking none. He took a no-decision against the Marlins in mid-July, lasting 4.2 innings and allowing two runs on three hits while striking out four and walking four.

One of the Marlins’ young arms will get the call for the second game of the series. Right-hander Max Meyer will make his sixth start of the season and third since being called up from Triple-A a couple weeks ago amid the team’s deals at the trade deadline.

The 25-year-old is 2-1 with a 3.81 ERA and is coming off his lone loss of the campaign. Facing the Atlanta Braves last Thursday – Meyer lasted five innings and allowed four runs on seven hits, including three home runs, while striking out seven and walking one.

⚾Game 3⚾

Andrew Abbott (Cincinnati) vs Valente Bellozo (Miami)[/box]

Cincinnati will hand the ball to lefty Andrew Abbott for the start of Wednesday’s contest. The 25-year-old is 9-8 with a 3.41 ERA (22nd in baseball), having struck out 97 in 121.1 innings over 22 starts. Abbott was on the losing end of Friday’s no-hitter, going 4.1 innings and allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out eight and walking one.

He struggled in his previous start against the Marlins in July, lasting just 3.1 innings and giving up five runs on seven hits, including two home runs.

Rookie Valente Bellozo will make just his fourth MLB start in Wednesday’s contest for Miami. Bellozo is 0-1 with a 4.20 ERA, striking out 15 in 15 innings. Each of Bellozo’s first three starts in the majors have lasted five innings, including a no-decision against the Braves on Friday.

In that game, he allowed two runs on two hits, including a home run, while striking out five and walking two.

The Reds will have one of the better pitchers in the majors going on Thursday. RIght-hander Hunter Greene is sixth in the majors in ERA at 2.83 and is tied for seventh in strikeouts with 149, compiling an 8-4 record over 22 starts.

The 24-year-old is coming off a masterful outing against the Giants on Saturday, throwing six shutout innings and allowing just one hit while striking out 11 and walking one.

Miami will counter with righty Kyle Tyler, who is still looking for his first win of the season. Tyler is 0-2 with a 5.27 ERA in six starts among seven overall appearances, striking out 22 in 27.1 total innings.

He struggled in his last start, going just 2.2 innings against the Braves on Saturday and giving up three runs on five hits while striking out two and walking four.

The Reds have lost 9 straight Sunday games. pic.twitter.com/5j21IfW0pV

— Cincinnati 💔 (@CincyProblems) August 4, 2024

Reds Have Offensive Advantage Over Marlins

As you might expect, with both being in last place, neither team’s offense is among the league leaders. Still, Cincinnati’s is still way ahead of Miami, ranking 15th in baseball with 485 runs entering the week. Meanwhile, a Chicago White Sox. The Marlins and White Sox are the only teams in baseball with under 440 runs.

For the Reds, third baseman Jeimer Candelario has been a nice surprise in his first season with the team. Candelario is only batting .227, but he has 22 doubles, two triples, a team-high 18 home runs, 51 RBI and 43 runs scored. Candelario had a home run in Sunday’s win over San Francisco, putting him one away from tying his career high for a season.

Third baseman Jake Burger has been hot for the Marlins of late, hitting home runs in four of the last six games. Burger has a team-best 17 dingers on the season, batting .240 with 12 doubles, a triple, 47 RBI and 40 runs scored.

Reds Take Series From Visiting Marlins

Cincinnati still has an outside shot at a Wild Card spot, but it has to get hot in a hurry. Playing against one of the worst teams in the National League should help, especially since the Reds took two of three from Miami in a series last month.

The Marlins will put up a good fight, but we like Cincinnati to come out on top in this four-game set. When making your Reds vs Marlins MLB predictions at the sportsbook, make sure to put your money on visiting Cincinnati.

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