The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for game two of their three-game series against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night, as they edge closer to clinching another NL West Division title. With the Padres and Diamondbacks in pursuit, the Dodgers find themselves in a competitive race. On the other side, the Marlins sit at the bottom of the NL East Division, fully immersed in a rebuilding phase after trading away several veterans at the deadline. This matchup will feature Dodgers right-hander Landon Knack (2-4, 3.70 ERA) facing off against Marlins righty Ryan Weathers (3-5, 3.55 ERA), who is making his return from the injured list. Fans can expect the first pitch at 6:40 pm EST.
Dodgers’ Strong Comeback Pitching
The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the brink of securing the NL West Division title as they aim for their first World Series championship since 2021. With a four-game lead in the loss column over the Padres, they head into the series after a thrilling split with the Braves, where they lost the first two games but rebounded with a commanding 18-2 victory in the final two contests. However, in game one against the Marlins, the Dodgers’ offense shined, but their pitching faltered in an 11-9 loss. Notable player Shohei Ohtani hit his 48th home run of the season, yet starter Bobby Miller struggled, unable to make it past the second inning.
The Dodgers will turn to Landon Knack for game two. Knack has made 12 appearances this season, including 10 starts, with a record of 2-4 and an ERA of 3.70. He has a WHIP of 1.09, two quality starts, and has allowed 46 hits in 56 innings while striking out 54 batters. In his most recent outing, he faced a tough Atlanta lineup, where he lasted only two innings, giving up seven hits and five runs.
Key Injuries: SP Tony Gonsolin, SP Gavin Stone, and RP Anthony Banda.
Marlins’ Resilience with Weathers’ Return
The Miami Marlins’ season has been challenging, primarily due to injuries to their pitching staff. This year, they will finish at the bottom of the NL East Division, a stark contrast to their wildcard playoff appearance last season. The team has undergone significant changes, moving several veterans at the trade deadline as they focus on rebuilding. Coming into this series, the Marlins lost three of four games against Washington. In a bright moment on Tuesday night, Jesus Sanchez contributed two doubles and two RBIs, helping the Marlins edge out the Dodgers 11-9 in game one.
Ryan Weathers returns to the mound for the Marlins on Wednesday night after being sidelined since June 7th with a finger injury. He has made 13 starts this season, posting a 3-5 record with six quality starts. Weathers holds an ERA of 3.55 and a WHIP of 1.14, allowing 61 hits over 71 innings while striking out 67 batters. Before his injury, he had a solid run, helping lead the Marlins to victories in four of his last five starts.
Key Injuries: SP Max Meyer is out.
Best Bets for Dodgers vs. Marlins
The Dodgers come off an impressive series against the Braves, scoring a remarkable 18 runs in two games. They now face Weathers, who will be making his first start in over three months, and it’s likely that he will be on a pitch count. This situation presents an opportunity for the Dodgers’ potent lineup to capitalize early against the Marlins’ bullpen. Landon Knack, despite his recent struggles, has shown promise this season with an ERA below 4.00. Following a tough outing against the Braves, a bounce-back performance is anticipated from him in this critical matchup.
