Betting Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks host Miami Marlins with both teams still chasing slim postseason hopes

We head back to the diamond now that we have just one football game on the agenda.

With only about 12 games remaining for most teams, we are squarely locked into the final lap of the playoff race.

As you'd expect, there are a lot of teams that are pretty much out of it at this point, and a few that still have an outside shot at making it to the postseason.

Tonight, the Marlins and Diamondbacks , who both have a slim chance of making the postseason, square off.

The Miami Marlins have a few things left to play for this postseason.

They are currently still alive in the postseason race, but going 3-7 over their past ten games has hindered any real possibility of making it.

They are 7.5 games back of the final spot in the postseason, which means they need to overcome the Pirates, Diamondbacks, and Padres in 12 games to win the final spot.

This can be looked at as a stepping stone year, but you'd have to have confidence that the Marlins will do something in the offseason to further advance the club.

Personally, I think they are likely to trade away guys instead of signing someone to help them.

That's pretty normal for the Miami franchise, though.

One guy who they have an option on, and I assume they will pick up, is tonight's starter, Sandy Alcantara.

He had some strong moments for the team this season with a 13-10 record, 3.78 ERA, and a 1.22 WHIP.

He has struggled a bit on the road with a 4.32 road ERA.

It has been a rough stretch for him, though, as he has allowed 15 earned runs over the past three starts.