Dodgers vs. Marlins (August 29): Can Gonsolin help his Cy Young hopes in Alcantara’s abode?

Sandy Alcantara took a big step towards wrapping up the NL Cy Young Award by spinning his latest masterpiece on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Tonight, his closest challenger will try to re-tighten the gap as the Dodgers and Marlins wrap up their series in Miami.

After a few shaky starts for Alcantara, NL Cy Young odds shifted, with the gap closing between the longtime favorite and Dodgers hurler Tony Gonsolin.

But after striking out ten and recording his fourth complete game of the season in the Marlins’ 2-1 win on Saturday, Alcantara is now a -450 favorite at BetOnline, while Gonsolin sits at +1200 heading into this matchup, his 24th start of the season.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Miami Marlins Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Los Angeles Dodgers (88-38, 43-22 away, 1st in the NL West) vs. Miami Marlins (55-72, 26-35 home, 4th in the NL East)
• Venue & Location: LoanDepot Park (Miami, Florida)
• Date: Monday, August 29, 2022
• Game Time: 6:40 p.m. Eastern Time

Dodgers vs. Marlins Pitching Matchup

• Los Angeles Dodgers: Tony Gonsolin (2022: 23 starts, 16-1, 2.10 ERA)
• Miami Marlins: Pablo Lopez (2022: 25 starts, 8-8, 3.66 ERA)

Dodgers vs. Marlins Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. This article may also mention odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Moneyline

• Los Angeles Dodgers -250
• Miami Marlins +205

Over/Under

• Over 7 (-114)
• Under 7 (-106)

Run Line

• Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (-140)
• Miami Marlins +1.5 (+116)

Gonsolin Should Shine, But Will It Be Enough?

After getting shut down by Alcantara, MLB’s best team unsurprisingly bounced back yesterday with an 8-1 win.

They pounded out 14 hits, with Mookie Betts (who hit his fourth homer of the series), Max Muncy, and Justin Turner each recording three hits, putting up a crooked number against Marlins starter Edward Cabrera, who entered the game having not allowed a single run in August.

GOOD MORNING, MOOKIE. pic.twitter.com/UD87C79M5F

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 28, 2022

The Dodgers also got yet another strong outing from a starting pitcher, with Julio Urias allowing one run and striking out seven in six innings.

They should get another one today from Gonsolin, who leads the NL in ERA and WHIP (0.86), leads MLB in OBA (.169), and is tied for the MLB lead in wins with 16.

Gonsolin has been in fine form this month, going 4-0 with a 0.76 ERA in four starts. In 23.2 innings, he has allowed two runs, ten hits, and seven walks and struck out 20.

With Alcantara going the distance on Saturday, Gonsolin needs a real gem to help his Cy Young chances, but will it happen?

The 28-year-old has a quality start to show for all but one of the starts in which he has gone at least six innings this season. But he has gone 6+ only 11 times, including just five times on the road, where he is 7-0 with a 2.66 ERA in a dozen starts.

Gonsolin has gone seven or more innings just three times this season, but one of those was in his most recent road start. At Milwaukee 12 days ago, he pitched seven shutout innings, allowed just two hits and one walk, and struck out eight in the Dodgers’ 2-1 win.

To keep the Cy Young race alive into September, another such stellar start is needed this evening.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Miami Marlins Prediction and Best Bets

Dodgers vs. Marlins Prediction: Dodgers to win

Dodgers vs. Marlins Best Bets: Dodgers -1.5 (Best Value: -135 at Bovada Sportsbook) & Dodgers team total over 4.5 runs (Best Value: +102 at BetOnline & BetUS)

Lopez tossed six shutout innings last time out at Oakland on Tuesday, picking up just his second win in his last eight starts.

He has not fared well at home as of late, allowing five or more runs three times in his last four starts.

Lopez has also not had back-to-back-to-back quality starts since May, and he hasn’t won back-to-back starts since April, when he looked like he, not Alcantara, looked like the Marlins’ most likely Cy Young candidate.

As well as Lopez pitched in his most recent start, it was against the A’s, who are last in the league in batting average. Don’t expect him to fare as well against the Dodgers, who have scored seven or more runs six times in their last eight games.