The National League is set for an exciting three-game series starting on Tuesday as the Los Angeles Dodgers (88-61, 1st in NL West) visit the Miami Marlins (55-95, 5th in NL East). The Dodgers are wrapping up a series against the Atlanta Braves, having lost two of the first three games (Note: The outcome of Monday’s game is not included in this article). Meanwhile, the Marlins have a scheduled day off on Monday. Earlier this season, in May, these two teams faced off with the Dodgers sweeping all three games at home. On the mound for the Dodgers will be Bobby Miller (8.17 ERA), while the Marlins will counter with Darren McCaughan (7.06 ERA). The first pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM EST at loanDepot Park in Miami.
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Dodgers Struggle to Maintain Momentum
The Los Angeles Dodgers have hit a rough patch, losing four of their last six games. While this streak is not catastrophic, it presents challenges for a team aiming for the best record in baseball. The Dodgers are striving to secure the top seed in the National League heading into the playoffs, yet they currently trail the Philadelphia Phillies by two games in the overall standings. Recently, they dropped two of three against the Chicago Cubs and lost the first two games in Atlanta before finally securing a win. In their last matchup against the Braves, Mookie Betts broke a tie in the ninth inning with a crucial RBI-single, helping the team to a 9-2 victory.
The game stood at 2-2 when Atlanta opted to intentionally walk Shohei Ohtani, setting the stage for Betts to make his mark. After the game, Betts remarked, “I wouldn’t pitch to him, either. Fortunately, I was able to come through.” Despite missing over 40 games this season due to injuries, Betts has managed to tally 17 home runs and 68 RBIs, showcasing his resilience. He leads the team with a batting average of .299, transitioning from his usual shortstop position to right field during the recent games. Ohtani continues to pursue a historic 50-50 season, currently boasting 47 home runs and 48 stolen bases with just 13 games remaining. He is favored at -1299 to win the NL MVP Award, while Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets holds the second-best odds at +700, according to FoxSports.
Bobby Miller is set to make his 13th start for the Dodgers. The 25-year-old right-hander has a record of 2-4, with the team going 3-2 in his last five starts. His ERA stands at 8.17, accompanied by 50 strikeouts and 29 walks, along with 17 home runs surrendered this season. In his latest outing, Miller pitched 4.1 innings, yielding six earned runs. Fortunately for him, the offense rallied to secure a 10-8 win over the Cubs.
Marlins Face Steeper Challenges
While the Dodgers are struggling, the Miami Marlins have been facing even tougher challenges, losing six of their last seven games. Miami recently suffered a sweep at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates, followed by a series in Washington where they lost three out of four. The Marlins are among the three teams in the National League already eliminated from playoff contention, alongside the Colorado Rockies and Washington Nationals. In their latest game against the Nationals, the Marlins struggled offensively, finishing just 1-7 with runners in scoring position, resulting in a narrow 4-3 defeat.
After the loss, Marlins manager Skip Schumaker discussed the team’s offensive struggles, stating, “We just couldn’t scratch anything together until that ninth inning.” That ninth-inning run came from pinch hitter David Hensley, who drove in a run with a fielder’s choice. Recently, Jake Burger has emerged as a reliable bat for the Marlins, starting the scoring in the third inning with a sacrifice fly. Burger leads the team with 25 home runs and 62 RBIs, playing first base and batting third in the lineup on Sunday. Jonah Bride also contributed, hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning for his seventh of the season. Bride typically plays first base but filled the designated hitter role, recording 28 RBIs this year with a .263 batting average.
Darren McCaughan will make just his fourth start of the season after previously appearing as a reliever. The 28-year-old right-hander has seen the Marlins win in all three of his starts this year. However, McCaughan has not pitched deep into games, failing to exceed five innings in any of his starts, though he has not allowed more than three runs. His latest outing was against the Nationals, where he gave up three earned runs in a victory.
Analyzing the Matchup: Dodgers vs. Marlins
This matchup has the potential to be a high-scoring affair, as both starting pitchers have ERAs exceeding 7.00 for the season. Given the offensive capabilities, it makes sense to favor the team ranked third in the league in run production against the Marlins, who sit near the bottom at 29th. The Dodgers feature a powerful lineup, starting with Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, and Hernandez. Even with Betts missing time, he still managed 17 home runs, and the other three players have all surpassed 20 home runs, with Ohtani ranking second in the majors with his 47 home runs.
McCaughan, who has had a rollercoaster season with trades between Miami and Cleveland, has transitioned from a reliever to a starter but struggles to go deep into games. This situation puts pressure on the Marlins’ bullpen, which ranks 28th in the league with a 4.70 ERA. The Dodgers are likely to capitalize on any pitching weaknesses, predicting a significant scoring advantage as they take on the struggling Marlins.
