Marlins vs. Reds: Elly De La Cruz has been quiet at the plate lately, but that could change in a big way tonight. The matchup against Sandy Alcantara is too good to ignore. All signs point to a breakout performance from the Reds’ young star.
For additional information on picks, props, moneylines, and more on today’s slate, take a look at our MLB Picks Page or our MLB Odds Page, here.
Write Up Transparency
Be sure to follow me on X/Twitter @ColbyMBets to get my full card every day! Picks are always FREE.
Last Month: 60-139 (-19.84u)
Last Week: 6-26 (-9.39u)
I am colder than your father’s beer fridge. Full fade.
Marlins vs. Reds Best Bets – July 9

Can Elly De La Cruz bounce back and will the Reds to a win this evening?
Check out BetOnline’s New No Strings Welcome Offer that gives new MLB players up to $250 in Free Bets and 100 Free Casino Spins with their first deposit. Find out more about this Promotion as well as lots of other Free Sportsbook Promos right here!
The face of the Reds enters tonight’s game with just one total base in his last 10 at-bats. However, Elly De La Cruz finds himself in a very favorable matchup against struggling right-hander Sandy Alcantara.
2025 Sandy Alcantara in Decline
This is not the same Alcantara who won the Cy Young. The 29-year-old has been a mess this season, posting a 7.01 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. His matchup ratings on Batters-Box—wOBA, ISO, and strikeout percentage—are all well below average.
Through seven road starts, Alcantara owns a brutal 9.95 ERA with opponents hitting .331 against him. Left-handed hitters on the road are batting .328 with a .569 slugging percentage and a .415 wOBA.
Nearly 60% of Alcantara’s pitch mix grades below league average. His best pitch, the sinker, is thrown 25% of the time. That just so happens to be De La Cruz’s wheelhouse—he is batting .364 with a 1.163 OPS, 229 wRC+, and a 57% hard-hit rate against sinkers this season.
At home, De La Cruz has been excellent, hitting .280 with a .839 OPS. Against right-handers, he is hitting .291 with a .523 slug and .897 OPS. He also draws an elite-matchup rating tonight. In 99 elite-rated matchups over the last three seasons, he has recorded a hit 66% of the time and gone over this prop in 47% of them.
This might be my favorite play of the entire slate based on the value and the matchup. Feed me everything Elly De La Cruz.
Best Bet: Elly De La Cruz Over 1.5 Total Bases (+100) odds via BetOnline
Interested in More Content?
Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly
Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER
Follow me on X @ColbyMBets for all my picks and sports opinions. Follow Betting News on ‘X’ and Twitch and catch us on stream! Betting News is also on TikTok! Follow us for more picks and news every day!
In need of a sportsbook? Check out one of our favorites below among our best online sportsbooks and sign-up for a bonus!
Check Out All of Our Betting Resources at Betting News
- Picks & Odds for the NFL
- NFL Betting Guide for Beginners
- Pick & Odds for NCAAF
- NCAAF Betting Guide for Beginners
- Picks & Odds in the MLB
- MLB Betting Guide for Beginners
- Picks & Odds in the NBA
- NBA Betting Guide for Beginners
- Picks & Odds in the NHL
- NHL Betting Guide for Beginners
More Betting Stories