Yesterday was jam-packed with 15 MLB games, and today we have every team playing except for two. Today, we are going to focus on a matchup in Miami between the red-hot Twins and the struggling Miami Marlins.
Minnesota put the wood on Miami last night in Miami. The Marlins’ offense has been one of the worst in baseball, but they will see a pitcher who has not thrown since 2021, and their ace is on the hill. Who will take game two of this three-game interleague series? Let’s dive in.
Twins vs. Marlins Betting Pick: Preview
Here are the odds at the time of posting for game two between the Miami Marlins and Minnesota Twins
Tuesday, April 4 MLB Betting Notes, Courtesy of DraftKings
Moneyline: Miami Marlins -140 vs. Minnesota Twins +120
Runline: Marlins -1.5 +155 / Twins +1.5 -180
Total: 7 Runs (Over -110 / Under -110)
Game Time: 6:40 pm ET / 3:40 pm PT
Where: LoanDepot Park in Miami, FL
Weather: Dome
Twins vs. Marlins: Analysis
The Twins came into Miami yesterday and jumped on top of the Marlins right away. Minnesota scored one run in the first, three runs in the second, two runs in the third, and two runs in the fourth on their way to an 11-1 series opener victory.
The Twins are 4-0 to start the season, and they look great. Miami, on the other hand, is 1-4, and they cannot score runs – even in the one game they won, they scored just two.
Can 2022 Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara give Miami the boost it needs today? Let’s dive in.
Twins vs. Marlins: Twins Preview
The Twins came into this season with modest projections, but so far, they have hit and pitched their way to a stellar 4-0 record, and they look great in the process. The Twins have allowed just five runs this season, and they have scored 22 runs. Of course, it is early, but the signs are pointing to the Twins being one of the stronger teams in the American League.
Kenta Maeda will make the start for the Twins tonight in Miami. Maeda missed the entire 2022 season due to an injury, so this will be his first big league start in quite some time. Maeda made some spring training appearances, and he pitched exactly how you would expect – he was on a pitch count, and he had limited command of his pitches. Maeda was great at one point in time, and he can surely establish himself as a solid No. 4 or No. 5 guy in the Twins’ rotation, but it is hard to imagine him being super effective tonight.
Offensively, the Twins came out swinging last night against veteran Johnny Cueto, and they didn’t stop when Miami went to the bullpen. The Twins have gotten some much-needed offense from Joey Gallo, and his three home runs have all been moonshots. So far, so good for the Twins, and now they have to lock in against last year’s NL Cy Young winner.
Twins vs. Marlins: Marlins Preview
Miami’s team composition confused me heading into this season, and five games in, they have proven exactly why. Miami’s pitching staff is not that deep, and their offense is really terrible. Miami has scored just eight runs in five games so far, and they are struggling mightily against right-handed pitching.
The Marlins have their best shot of winning going for them on the mound tonight. Alcantara went 5.2 innings in his first start allowing three runs and three hits with four walks and 2 Ks. That was against the Mets, who are familiar with Alcantara. The Twins have not seen much of him at all, so it is safe to assume that Alcantara will have more success tonight, especially if he is not walking batters.
Miami’s offense is snoozing. They cannot produce runs whatsoever, and there are no signs pointing to this changing any time soon. The Marlins have struck out the most against righties, and they are hitting just .239 against them. None of the Marlins are too familiar with Maeda either, so this game could be low scoring for Miami for a bunch of reasons.
Twins vs. Marlins: Prediction
While I do not deny the greatness of Alcantara, he is due to regress this season. I do not think Maeda is due for an amazing start, but I expect the Twins to best the Marlins. Miami can’t hit, and Alcantara is vulnerable, so there is value on the Twins at plus money.
Prediction: Twins ML +120