Two of the lowest-scoring lineups in baseball are set to square off at loanDepot park on Tuesday as the Miami Marlins (28-26) host the San Diego Padres (24-29) to open a three-game series. The Padres are kicking off the final series of their nine-game road trip.
They won only one out of three in their last series against the Yankees, dropping the finale 10-7 on Sunday at Yankee Stadium. Jake Cronenworth was 1 for 3 with a solo home run.
The Marlins are back home for a nine-game homestand after returning from a 10-game road trip (5-5). They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Angels, taking the finale 2-0 on Sunday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
Nick Fortes went 3 for 4 with a solo home run and a double. Luis Arraez added one run on two hits. The teams are meeting for the first time this season.
In 2022, the Padres won four of the seven games between the teams, although they dropped two out of three in their most recent meeting at loanDepot park in August.
ON THE MOUND
Ryan Weathers (1-3, 3.94 ERA) is set to start for San Diego. The LHP allowed five runs (four earned) over six innings in his last start, a 5-3 road defeat against the Nationals on Wednesday. He took the loss, giving up seven hits while striking out four and walking two.
RHP Sandy Alcantara (2-5, 4.86 ERA) gets the start for Miami. Alcantara made two appearances against the Padres in 2022, both starts, striking out 12 and walking four over 11.2 innings (1-1, 1.54).
In his last start on Wednesday, Alcantara got the win on the road against the Rockies. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on four hits, striking out three and walking three in the 10-2 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The San Diego offense is averaging 4.0 runs per game for the season, third lowest in the NL, with a slash line of .221/.315/.385. Juan Soto leads the team in OPS at .927.
The right fielder is slashing .261/.422/.506 with 10 home runs, 24 RBIs, and 31 runs over 53 games. Against right-handed pitchers like Alcantara this season, the Padres have a .674 OPS.
Soto also is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a 1.060 OPS in 121 at-bats. Miami is slashing .258/.316/.398 for the season and averaging 3.8 runs per game, fourth lowest in MLB. Arraez leads the team with an .897 OPS.
The second baseman has one home run, 20 RBIs, and 19 runs scored with a slash line of .376/.433/.464. Miami is averaging 6.4 runs per game in the last five with an improved slash line (.319/.394/.514).
The Fish have an .804 OPS against lefties in 2023, fifth highest in MLB. With a 1.453 OPS over 46 at-bats, Jorge Soler has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
San Diego is 12-14 away from Petco Park in 2023, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. Miami has won four in a row at loanDepot park.
The Fish are 14-11 at home this season, averaging 3.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.4. Miami is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the teams at loanDepot park with an average scoreline of 4.4-3.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Padres are fourth in the NL West, seven games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Marlins are second in the NL East, four games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Miami Marlins (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
