Los Angeles Angels vs. Miami Marlins: O/U 8.5

Analysis

Saturday's total sits at 8.5, and the numbers from this series lean toward a lower-scoring game. Friday's opener between these two clubs finished 4-3, a combined seven runs. That wasn't a fluke. The Angels have scored more than four runs just once in their last five games. The Marlins have been even quieter, managing three runs or fewer in four of their last five outings, including a shutout loss. The pitching matchup reinforces that pattern. Walbert Urena has been excellent lately, sitting at a 2.54 ERA and looking sharp in his recent starts. Sandy Alcantara, even with a middling 3.68 ERA, is a workhorse who regularly eats innings and limits damage against him. Neither offense looks equipped to produce a big number, and the Angels have finished under the total in seven straight games. None of this settles the outcome in advance. Bullpens can falter, and both lineups have shown occasional pop, including Mike Trout's homer on Friday. But with two teams that have combined for modest scoring lately, and two competent starters on the mound, nine or more combined runs looks like the less likely outcome. Watch the bullpens in the middle innings. That's usually where totals like this get decided.