Miami Marlins vs Oakland Athletics Picks and Predictions May 2nd 2025

Debut Spotlight: Gunnar Hoglund Steps Up

Oakland will hand the ball to 25-year-old Gunnar Hoglund on Friday, giving the former first-round pick his first taste of major league action. After posting a 2.43 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over six Triple-A starts, he capped his promotion with five scoreless innings and five punch-outs in his final outing. The Athletics see this as a golden opportunity to fortify their rotation depth and reward one of their top prospects.

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Marlins Misery: Starter Struggles Persist

Miami’s starting staff has faltered badly, failing to survive the fourth inning in each of its last five outings and yielding at least four runs in every start of their six-game road trip. The club has dropped five straight and 55 runs have crossed the plate in that span. While the Marlins have yet to announce an official opener, right-hander Valente Bellozo looms as the probable choice after logging just 28 pitches at Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday.

Pitching Prospects: Hoglund vs. Marlins’ Mystery Arm

Hoglund’s low-90s fastball and wipeout slider should test a Marlins lineup that ranks near the bottom in batting average. His command has been sharp in the minors, and Oakland’s infield defense will be ready to convert weak contact. Whoever takes the ball for Miami must combat that repertoire while helping a pitcher’s staff desperate for quality starts.

Strategic Matchups: Depth & Defense vs. Firepower

The A’s have won seven of nine and boast an MLB-best 11-6 road record, relying on a mix of veteran savvy and up-and-coming talent. Their bullpen is suddenly thin, but Kevin Ginkel and Shelby Miller have filled late-game roles admirably. Miami counters with Kyle Stowers, who leads the team in average and RBIs and piled up four hits with two homers in the loss to Los Angeles. A timely swing or a defensive gem could swing this opener one way or the other.

Betting Angle

With Hoglund’s ground-ball profile and uncertainty around Miami’s starter, the early under on total runs offers value before bullpen questions emerge. For a deeper dive into tonight’s markets, explore our MLB Expert Picks.

Scoreline Forecast

Expect a pitcher’s duel through five innings before Oakland’s depth and debut excitement lift its offense.