Marlins vs. Padres prediction and odds for Wednesday, Aug. 23 (All aboard the Alcantara train)

The Miami Marlins are back in the postseason picture, and its ace is a big reason why.

Sandy Alcantara has bounced back off of his poor first half of the season to look like his 2022 Cy Young self with a glistening 2.70 ERA through seven starts in the second half of the season, which includes two complete games.

Can Alcantara outduel the floundering Padres, who are on track to miss the postseason? Let's check out the odds:

There's a way to become a winner in this game no matter what by using one of the great bonus offers for new users on FanDuel or DraftKings:

Marlins vs. Padres odds, run line and total

Marlins vs. Padres prediction and pick

Alcantara has been on a tear this season, and the key has been his ability to limit walks. After posting a strikeout-to-walk ratio is 2.85 in the first half of the season, that number has jumped to 5.88 since the All-Star break. By limiting free bases, Alcantara has gone back to his elite self.

He'll face a San Diego lineup that has struggled to put bat on ball all season, and its continued into August, the team has hit just .234 this month, 23rd in the big leagues.

The Marlins are only 21st in batting average this month, but I can't overlook the pitching edge for the visitors as underdogs. Alcantara should far outperform Padres starter Seth Lugo, who has an xERA of 4.15 and has allowed opponents to hit .322 on batted balls in play.

Alcantara will have the Marlins in this game throughout, I'll jump at the underdog price.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.