MLB starting lineup news, injury report for Thursday, July 8th

We have a 11-game slate in the majors Thursday, beginning at 12:10 p.m. ET. There are a lot good matchups happening across the league that will not only have betting but also fantasy implications. Over the course of the day, we will be keeping up to date with the latest injury and lineup news before first pitch between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins.

As we get prepared for another exciting day in MLB, there’s a few storylines to keep an eye out on. One of the first storylines is the Miami Marlins, who will be trying to pull off the four-game sweep over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Marlins have outscored the Dodgers 16-11 in the first three games. The Dodgers will start Julio Urias (10-3, 3.81 ERA), while the Marlins will give the ball to Sandy Alcantara (5-7, 2.96 ERA).

The New York Yankees are another team, who are trying to pull off a sweep as they wrap-up their three-game set against the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees defeated the Mariners 5-4 on Wednesday night to win the series. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has been swinging a hot bat at the plate, slashing .300/.364/.650 with 4 HRs and 8 RBI in his last 10 games. Finally, to end the night, we have a good pitching matchup between the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres at 9:10 p.m. ET. Max Scherzer (7-4, 2.10 ERA) will get the start for the Nats, while Yu Darvish (7-3, 2.65) will be on the mound for San Diego.

MLB lineup and injury news — Thursday, July 8th

Javier Baez, Kris Bryant out of lineup vs. Phillies

The Chicago Cubs will be without two of their best offensive players in Javier Baez and Kris Bryant tonight. Baez is dealing with a sprained thumb, while Bryant is sitting with hamstring tightness. The Cubs will start Patrick Wisdom at the hot corner in place of Bryant and Sergio Alcantara will start at shortstop for Baez. Wisdom could be a solid DFS play for the main slate as he’s averaging 6.9 FPPG ($5,100).

Odubel Herrera starting in CF vs. Cubs

The Philadelphia Phillies will have their starting center fielder Odubel Herrera back in the outfield when they take on the Chicago Cubs in the series finale. Herrera missed the last two games against Chicago with wrist and ankle injuries. The 29-year-old will be hitting sixth in the batting order against Cubs starting pitcher Adbert Alzozay. However, the Phils will be sitting first baseman Rhys Hoskins and left fielder Andrew McCutchen.

Justus Sheffield dealing with multiple injuries

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry DiPoto said this morning that starting pitcher Justus Sheffield has a mild flexor and grade 2 oblique strain. Sheffield exited his last start early vs. the Yankees, where he only went 1.2 IP and allowed 5 hits and 6 earned runs. This season, he has a 5-8 record and 6.48 ERA in 15 starts.

Dillon Tate to start against Blue Jays

According to Nathan Ruiz of the Baltimore Sun, the Baltimore Orioles will use relief pitcher Dillon Tate to open tonight’s game, instead of starting Keegan Akin. This season, Tate has a record of 0-3 and 4.29 ERA in 27 games. The 27-year-old reliever has produced 31 strikeouts and only allowed 4 HRs in 35.2 IP. Meanwhile, Akin has struggled this season for the O’s with a 0-4 record and 7.46 ERA in 11 games (7 starts). DraftKings Sportsbook has run total set at 11, with the Blue Jays as -230 favorites on the moneyline.

Justin Turner getting day off vs. Marlins

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Thursday morning that third baseman Justin Turner is getting the day off in the team’s series finale against Miami. However, he’s expected to play all three games against the Arizona Diamondbacks, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Zach McKinstry will take Turner’s place in the lineup and will hit eighth against Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara.