On Wednesday, May 7, the Dodgers (21–14) and Marlins (14–20) square off in the second game of their midweek series at LoanDepot Park. Miami will send right-hander Edward Cabrera to the mound, while Los Angeles will reply with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, an excellent rookie. Miami hopes to climb out of the NL East cellar, while the Dodgers want to hold onto their lead in the NL West. Both teams are attempting to accelerate. Get expert insight on pitching matchups, core hitters, and strategy angles for this game.
Intro & Slate Overview
Today’s MIA vs LAD MLB DFS slate features 9-game games including a marquee matchup between MIA and LAD at loanDepot Park. The venue, loanDepot Park, will host what could be one of the most pivotal games with a Vegas total of 8.5 and a spread favoring LAD by LAD -1.5.
Check out our other prediction for the Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Angels!
Top Pitching Picks
Starting pitcher Y. Yamamoto comes into this matchup priced at $10,200 and will face a struggling MIA lineup. With a strong track record against left-handed hitters and a decent strikeout rate, he’s a top-tier option today. E. Cabrera offers a salary discount at $8,400, making him a solid SP2 candidate in GPP formats.
Top Hitter & Matchups
Among hitters, the spotlight is on S. Ohtani from LAD, who is priced at $5,600. Facing a right-handed pitcher and playing in a hitter-friendly park like loanDepot Park, he is primed for production. His ISO and wOBA splits against righties make him a strong cash and GPP play.
Stack Strategy
With the game total set at 8.5 and LAD looking like the highest implied total on the slate, stacking this team makes strategic sense. Players like S. Ohtani and value bats from the LAD lineup could break the slate if this game turns into a shootout.
Value Plays
Looking at value plays, consider players under $3500 who could return value, especially in large-field tournaments. Monitor starting lineups and look for last-minute lineup changes that introduce low-salary, high-leverage bats into the mix.
Weather Impact
Weather could be a factor today at loanDepot Park. Current forecasts predict Wind out to RF with winds at 12mph. This could significantly impact how the ball carries, favoring power hitters or potentially hindering pitching effectiveness. Always double-check radar reports before finalizing lineups.
Betting Angle & Game Script
From a betting perspective, the line sits at LAD -1.5 with a total of 8.5. This suggests expectations of moderate to high scoring. DFS players can lean into this by prioritizing exposure to both lineups, or taking a contrarian stance by leveraging high-salary pitchers in hopes of a low-scoring pitcher’s duel.
Check out our other prediction for the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Mets game!
Pitching Strategy Deep Dive
Analyzing the pitching slate, Y. Yamamoto stands out as a chalky option given his recent form and strikeout upside. Facing a lineup with a K-rate over 25%, he is likely to generate a high floor for cash games. However, his salary at $10,200 does limit flexibility elsewhere. On the flip side, E. Cabrera is a GPP-only candidate today. With a lower price point of $8,400, and facing a team with inconsistent splits against lefties, he could provide the salary relief necessary to jam in premium bats.
Game Environment Analysis
Game context matters heavily in DFS, and the clash at loanDepot Park presents intriguing dynamics. With Wind out to RF and winds blowing at 12mph, offensive production could spike. The over/under total of 8.5 reflects expected run production, and Vegas’ lean toward LAD as favorites by LAD -1.5 suggests a high-scoring environment. This is an ideal stacking scenario, particularly for GPPs where correlation can lead to ceiling outcomes.
Advanced Metrics Matchup
The Dodgers’ offense leads MLB with a .273 batting average and a .456 slugging percentage, making them a formidable opponent. Conversely, the Marlins’ pitching staff has struggled, with a team ERA of 5.18, ranking 29th across Major League Baseball. This disparity suggests a significant advantage for the Dodgers’ hitters in this matchup.
Slate Construction & Ownership Leverage
With a 9-game slate, ownership becomes a critical component. Many lineups will gravitate towards high-total games like MIA vs LAD, but leveraging off-the-board plays in lower total games can create separation. Consider secondary stacks or one-off plays from teams like MIA where individual matchups provide value despite modest projections.
Check out our other prediction for the Washington Nationals vs. Cleveland Guardians game!
Final Thoughts & Strategy Wrap-up
Today’s slate offers a blend of elite pitching, exploitable matchups, and weather-driven variance. With conditions at loanDepot Park favoring hitters and the slate featuring a mix of chalk and leverage plays, this is an ideal day to build diversified GPP exposures while anchoring around top-tier plays like S. Ohtani and Y. Yamamoto. Monitor lineup news, stay current on weather shifts, and use ownership projections to gain an edge.
Sources: https://baseball.realgm.com/, https://www.betus.com.pa/sportsbook/mlb/, https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/mlb, https://www.statsinsider.com.au/
