Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Miami Marlins Pick & Prediction APRIL 17th 2025
Preview and Prediction
The Arizona Diamondbacks, following a combined seven home runs in the last two games, will be aiming for a sweep as they conclude a three-game series against the Miami Marlins on Thursday afternoon.
The finale will showcase a matchup between two pitchers in search of their first win of the season: Miami's right-hander Edward Cabrera (0-0, 3.18 ERA) and Arizona's lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (0-2, 4.86).
Cabrera, who turned 27 on Sunday, was sidelined at the start of the season due to a blister on his right middle finger.
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He made his 2025 debut on Friday, receiving a no-decision in a 7-4 loss against the Nationals. Cabrera pitched 5 2/3 innings, surrendering two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five.
Throughout his career, Cabrera has struggled with injuries and has never made more than 20 starts in a single season. However, he has a solid record of 11-7 with a 3.90 ERA at home and a less impressive record of 6-15 with a 4.70 ERA on the road. He also tends to perform better in the second half of the season (3.64 ERA) compared to the first half (5.32 ERA).
Known for his powerful arm, Cabrera spent the winter focusing on building muscle, improving his physical condition, and honing his mental approach to pitching.
According to Marlins manager Clayton McCullough, "Edward is a special talent. When you have his fastball and changeup and the spin on his breaking ball, it's a good version of Edward Cabrera."
Rodriguez, a 32-year-old from Venezuela, didn't make his 2024 debut until August 7 due to a lat injury. However, he is typically a reliable starter and had a standout season in 2019 with a 19-6 record for the Red Sox, earning him a sixth-place finish in American League Cy Young Award voting. He also recorded 13 wins in 2018, 2021, and 2023.
In his career, Rodriguez has a record of 1-1 with a 7.84 ERA in two starts against Miami. However, he has struggled since the start of the 2024 season, with a record of 3-6. According to scouts, his main issue has been allowing high exit velocities.
Rodriguez will be hoping for some offensive support from his teammate, Eugenio Suarez, who has been in a slump lately.
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The third baseman, known for his power and tendency to strike out, has seen his batting average drop to .159. In his last 13 games, Suarez has only five hits in 45 at-bats (.111) with no RBIs and 18 strikeouts.
When he is on top of his game, Suarez is a dangerous hitter who hit 30 home runs and drove in 101 runs last season. Over the past two years, he has averaged 98.5 RBIs.
According to Arizona manager Torey Lovullo, "It's only a matter of time before he figures it out. He's going through a rough patch, but I'm encouraging him to swing at good pitches and not chase base hits or results. Just focus on the process and stick to his routine."
In other news, the Marlins traded corner infielder Jonah Bride to the Twins for cash considerations before Wednesday's game.
Bride, who was out of options, had a batting average of just .100 (4-for-40) for Miami this season.
With Bride gone, the Marlins may activate infielder Connor Norby from the injured list for Thursday's game. He has been sidelined at the start of the season due to an oblique strain.
Norby, 24, could return to his role as Miami's starting third baseman. Last season, he had a .760 OPS with eight doubles and seven home runs in 36 games for the Marlins after being acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles.
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Miami Marlins Recap MAY 4TH 2022
Pavin Smith hit a two-run, go-ahead homer in the top of the ninth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks survived the first-inning ejection of pitcher Madison Bumgarner to defeat the host Miami Marlins 8-7 on Wednesday afternoon.
Smith also made a stellar running catch that saved at least one run in the eighth inning. Ian Kennedy pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save of the year.
Arizona used a five-run fourth inning -- which included Daulton Varsho's two-run homer -- to help sweep the three-game series. The Diamondbacks have now won seven of their past nine games.
Bumgarner, who allowed a solo homer to Jon Berti in his only inning of work, seemed upset with home plate umpire Ryan Wills' balls and strikes calls.
After the inning, first base umpire Dan Bellino performed the random check of Bumgarner's glove and pitching hand. While that appeared to uncover nothing illegal, words were exchanged and Bumgarner was tossed. An irate Bumgarner had to be held back from Bellino.
The Marlins were led by Berti, who homered twice, and Jesus Aguilar, who went deep once. All three were solo homers, but it wasn't enough to avoid Miami's fourth straight loss.
Miami led 3-0 after two innings.
Berti, Miami's leadoff man, homered on a 2-0 cutter from Bumgarner.
Corbin Martin relieved Bumgarner in the second. Miami loaded the bases with no outs on a pair of walks and Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s single. Bryan De La Cruz hit a sacrifice fly and catcher Payton Henry's first hit of the year -- a single -- made it 3-0.
Arizona's fourth-inning rally started with Cooper Hummel's one-out walk. After Ketel Marte doubled, Sergio Alcantara drilled a two-run triple. Geraldo Perdomo tied the score with an RBI single and Varsho's two-out, 416-foot homer to right-center gave Arizona a 5-3 lead.
Miami scored twice in the seventh as Berti and Aguilar homered back-to-back off reliever Noe Ramirez on three pitches.
The Marlins took a 7-6 lead in the eighth as De La Cruz hit a two-out RBI single and Chisholm dove home when reliever Keynan Middleton bounced a wild pitch.
In the ninth, Varsho hit a one-out single off of closer Anthony Bender. The next batter was Smith, who drove a 2-2 slider over the fence in right.