La Dodgers vs Seattle Mariners Picks and Predictions August 20th 2024

There is one interleague matchup on Tuesday’s MLB slate, and it features the Mariners and Dodgers. This one gets started at 10:10 PM ET from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Mariners are 64-62 and 2nd in the AL West, while the Dodgers lead the NL West with a record of 74-52.

Walker Buehler will go for the Dodgers, while the Mariners are sending Bryce Miller to the mound. Los Angeles is the favorite on the money line, with the odds sitting at -150 compared to the Mariners at +127. The over/under line is currently 8.5 runs, and the game can be seen on SNLA.

Right-hander Bryce Miller is getting the start for the Mariners today as he faces the Dodgers on the road. He has made 24 starts this season and has a record of 9-7 with an ERA of 3.29. Miller’s WHIP for the season is currently .99, and opponents are batting .207 off him this year. In his 24 appearances, he has turned in 13 quality starts and is averaging 8.25 strikeouts per nine innings. Miller’s last outing came against the Tigers, where he went seven innings, giving up no runs and coming away with a no decision. Before that, he had won two straight starts.

Julio Rodríguez has been swinging a hot bat of late for the Mariners, going 7/19 in his last five games. For the season, he is batting .265 with 11 homers and 38 RBIs. He is also on a six-game hitting streak. Cal Raleigh has the most homers on the team, but he is batting just .209 for the year and has gone 1/20 in his last five games.

As a team, the Mariners are batting just .215, which is the worst mark in the league. They are also near the bottom of the league in scoring, averaging just 3.9 runs per game. Overall, they are 14th in home runs, but have the worst strikeout numbers in the league.

Walker Buehler gets the start for the Dodgers today and will be looking to bounce back from a rough outing vs. the Brewers. In that start, he went 3 1/3 innings, giving up four runs, and took the loss. Buehler finished with a no-decision in that outing. Looking back over his last four starts, he has finished with a no-decision in three of them. Buehler’s ERA for the season is 5.58, along with a record of 1-4. Opposing batters are hitting .282 off Buehler this season. So far, he has made two quality starts and is averaging 7.59 strikeouts per nine innings.

Shohei Ohtani has been one of the best power hitters in the league this season, as his 39 home runs are 2nd in all of baseball and the most on the Dodgers. He is also 7th in the league with 88 RBIs. However, Ohtani has struggled of late, hitting just 5/30 in his last seven games. Gavin Lux has been swinging a hot bat for the Dodgers, going 10/26 with three homers in his last seven games.

Los Angeles comes into the game as one of the league’s best offenses, averaging 4.9 runs per game and batting a collective .252, which is 9th in the league. As a team, they are also 3rd in home runs and have the 2nd ranked walk rate in the league.

Seattle Mariners’ right-hander Bryce Miller is set to take the mound against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, aiming to halt the Mariners’ recent struggles. This game carries significant weight as the Mariners look to regain their momentum in the intense race for the American League West title.

Bryce Miller: A Bright Spot in a Challenging Season

Bryce Miller has been a standout in what has been a tough season for the Mariners. Now in his sophomore year, he’s building on the promise he showed as a rookie. With a 9-7 record and a solid 3.29 ERA across 24 starts, Miller has not only surpassed his 2023 win total but has also drastically improved his ERA, shaving more than a full run off per nine innings. His 128 strikeouts this season highlight his growth, and he’s been notably more efficient, allowing just seven hits per nine innings—1.5 fewer than in 2023.

Miller’s ability to dominate opposing lineups has been consistent this year. He’s thrown at least six innings without allowing an earned run in eight games, proving himself as a reliable starter. Recently, he’s been on fire, throwing six scoreless innings against the New York Mets on August 9, followed by seven scoreless frames against the Detroit Tigers, where he nearly matched his season-high with nine strikeouts.

Reflecting on his recent performances, Miller stated, “I go out there, I try to put up a zero and see what happens. I try to go as long as I can and be efficient. So, just trying to do my job and keep us in games and see what happens.” His focus on efficiency and consistency will be critical as he faces the Dodgers’ potent lineup.

Mariners’ Struggles and the Importance of This Game

The Mariners are in a rough patch, having gone 1-6 on their nine-game road trip. This slump has severely impacted their standings, dropping them from a tie for first place in the AL West on August 11 to five games behind the Houston Astros. Tuesday’s game against the Dodgers is pivotal if the Mariners hope to stay in contention for the division title.

The pressure is on Miller to deliver another strong performance, especially after the Mariners’ 3-0 loss to the Dodgers on Monday. Every game counts as they attempt to regain ground in the fiercely competitive AL West.

Dodgers’ Pitching Woes and Injury Concerns

On the other side, the Dodgers will send right-hander Walker Buehler to the mound, who is still finding his rhythm after missing nearly two years due to a second Tommy John surgery and a subsequent hip injury. Buehler has struggled since his return, holding a 1-4 record with a 5.58 ERA in nine starts this season. In his most recent outing against the Milwaukee Brewers, Buehler allowed four runs (three earned) over 3 1/3 innings, battling inconsistencies in his delivery and control.

Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts acknowledged these issues, saying, “Just from the eye test, he was out of sync. I think his throw was inconsistent, and obviously, the delivery was inconsistent. He didn’t get Strike 1 very often. He was working behind hitters, and then you’re trying to find your way back into counts. It’s hard to live like that.”

Despite his struggles, Buehler has had some success against the Mariners in the past, posting a 1-0 record with a 3.46 ERA in two career starts against them. However, his current form and the Dodgers’ defensive lapses, including two infield errors in his last start, could provide the Mariners with an opportunity to capitalize.

Dodgers’ Lineup Adjustments and Injury Updates

The Dodgers are also dealing with key injuries and lineup changes. First baseman Freddie Freeman is playing through a hairline fracture in the middle finger of his right hand. Despite this injury, Freeman remained in the lineup on Wednesday, although he went 0-for-4. His ability to perform at his usual high level will be crucial to watch.

Additionally, the Dodgers have recently reintegrated Max Muncy into their lineup after a three-month absence due to an oblique strain. Muncy made an immediate impact, hitting a two-run homer in his first game back on Monday. Outfielder Tommy Edman also made his Dodgers debut, going 1-for-3, after being acquired in a late-July trade from the St. Louis Cardinals and recovering from wrist and ankle injuries.

Currently, the Dodgers lead the National League West by three games over the San Diego Padres and four games over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Maintaining this lead while managing their injury concerns will be crucial as the season progresses.

A High-Stakes Showdown

As Bryce Miller takes the mound on Tuesday, the Mariners’ playoff hopes hang in the balance. His ability to extend his streak of scoreless outings will be key in reversing the Mariners’ fortunes and keeping them in the race for the AL West title. Meanwhile, the Dodgers will look to Walker Buehler to stabilize their rotation and help them maintain their division lead despite recent injuries.

This game is not just another regular-season matchup—it’s a crucial contest that could significantly impact the postseason trajectories of both teams. Fans can expect a tense, hard-fought battle as both the Mariners and Dodgers fight to achieve their season goals.

For an over/under pick, our lean is on the over, as this is projected to be the 6th highest-scoring game of the day. As for who is going to take this one straight up, we have our lean on the Mariners to pick up the win. The Dodgers are starting Walker Buehler, who has the 2nd best strikeout projection among today’s starters, but we like the Mariners’ offense to put together a big game, as Bryce Miller is our 5th ranked starting pitcher in terms of today’s strikeout projections.