Los Angeles Angels vs Miami Marlins Picks and Prediction for Friday August 7 2026

The Los Angeles Angels open a three-game interleague series against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, on Friday, August 7. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, with television coverage available through MLB.TV, Marlins.TV and Angels Baseball TV. Los Angeles enters at 43-71 overall and 18-38 on the road, while Miami is 58-57 overall and 34-23 at home. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Bettors looking for additional Friday baseball predictions can visit our free MLB picks.

Starting Pitchers

Neither starting pitcher had been officially confirmed by MLB at the time of this preview. Early projections lists Tyler Phillips as Miami’s probable starter while leaving the Angels’ pitcher undecided, although some lineup projections identify Brett Kerry as Los Angeles’ likely choice. Kerry is 0-0 with a 3.38 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP through eight innings, allowing five hits and one walk while recording five strikeouts. Phillips is 3-5 with a 3.53 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP across 89.1 innings, with 66 strikeouts. Phillips has made 12 starts among his 28 appearances. Bettors should confirm both assignments before wagering.

Angels Search for Offense on the Road

Los Angeles has lost four of its last five completed games, leaving the Angels at 43-71 overall and 18-38 away from home. The Angels recently lost consecutive games in Baltimore by scores of 5-2 and 3-1. Los Angeles earned a 3-0 victory over Milwaukee before that series, but it dropped the previous two games against the Brewers by scores of 3-1 and 6-2. The Angels scored only nine runs while allowing 17 across those five contests.

The Angels are batting .237 with 473 runs, 904 hits and 119 home runs this season. Los Angeles owns a .312 on-base percentage and a .381 slugging percentage. Its pitching staff has compiled a 4.49 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP while issuing 480 walks and recording 1,018 strikeouts. Opponents are batting .234 against the Angels, but the volume of walks has contributed to the team allowing more runs than its opponent batting average might suggest. 

Generating consistent offense is the primary problem for Los Angeles. The Angels scored two runs or fewer in four of their last five games and have been held below four runs in seven of their last eight. Their .381 slugging percentage also reflects a lineup that has struggled to create enough extra-base damage. A projected bullpen-style start would place even more pressure on an Angels relief staff that may need to cover most of the game.

Marlins Welcome a Return to loanDepot Park

Miami has won three of its last five completed games and enters Friday at 58-57 overall. The Marlins are 34-23 at loanDepot park, giving them one of the more substantial home-road splits in this matchup. Miami recently lost consecutive games at Atlanta by scores of 4-1 and 4-2. Those defeats followed a three-game road sweep of the Mets, with the Marlins recording victories of 2-0, 6-2 and 5-2. Miami scored 16 runs and allowed 12 across those five contests.

The Marlins are batting .249 with 499 runs, 949 hits and 118 home runs this season. They have produced a .324 on-base percentage and a .404 slugging percentage. Miami’s pitching staff owns a 4.00 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP and a .231 opponent batting average, with 961 strikeouts against 383 walks. The Marlins hold advantages over Los Angeles in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, ERA and WHIP.

Miami’s clearest advantage is its ability to combine better contact hitting with more reliable run prevention. The Marlins have hit one fewer home run than the Angels, but they have collected 45 more hits and scored 26 additional runs. Their pitchers have also issued 97 fewer walks, which reduces the number of preventable scoring opportunities. Miami must improve after scoring only three total runs across its first two games in Atlanta, but returning home against the team with baseball’s worst record presents an appealing opportunity.

Los Angeles Angels vs Miami Marlins Picks and Prediction

• Pick: Miami Marlins Moneyline

I am taking Miami on the moneyline. The Marlins have the better overall record, a 34-23 home mark and advantages across nearly every important season-long offensive and pitching category. Los Angeles is 28 games below .500 and has won only 18 of its first 56 road games.

Miami’s recent losses in Atlanta are a concern, but the Marlins won the preceding three games while holding the Mets to four combined runs. Los Angeles has scored two runs or fewer in four of its last five games and may rely on a starter with only eight major-league innings this season. I would keep the wager at standard size until the pitching assignments are official, but Miami remains the stronger side.

• Pick: Under 8.5

I prefer the under if the total is set at 8.5. Los Angeles has produced nine total runs across its last five games, while Miami has allowed three runs or fewer in three of its last five. The Marlins’ 4.00 team ERA and 1.24 WHIP give them a favorable matchup against an Angels lineup carrying a .237 batting average and .381 slugging percentage.

The projected pitching matchup creates some uncertainty because Los Angeles could require extensive bullpen work. However, loanDepot park and the recent offensive form of both clubs support a lower-scoring game. Miami has scored three or fewer in three of its last five, and eight of the teams’ combined 10 most recent games finished with seven runs or fewer. I would play under 8.5, consider under nine an even better number and pass if the total drops below eight.

This preview was written prior to game play on Thursday.