Editorials

Dodgers Series Preview: Miami Marlins Invade Chavez Ravine

Miami Marlins: 10-25
Los Angeles Dodgers: 13-20

Current State of the Team:



Things aren’t looking too good in Dodgertown as the team is in the midst of a seven-game losing streak as the Marlins come into town. After two consecutive sweeps, Dodger ownership is preaching patience to the fans as they know that injuries have derailed the club early on.

Adrian Gonzalez is back in the lineup tonight as the Dodgers hope to beat-up on an inferior opponent this weekend. Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier continue to struggle and outside of Clayton Kershaw, the starting pitching has been dreadful.

Not to mention, the bullpen is tired and depleted as manager Don Mattingly has wrestled with the idea of putting Kenley Jansen into the closers role.

While things are bad with the team, a three-game sweep of the lowly Marlins is just what the doctor ordered this weekend.

Keys to Victory:

1) Starters Go Deep Into Games

It’s never good to get into your bullpen early and the Dodgers have been doing that way too much lately. With the lowly Marlins offense that is last in baseball with 99 runs, Dodgers pitchers should be able to save the bullpen from a lot of innings this weekend.

2) Middle of the Order Production:

There have been too may times this season where sluggers Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier have stranded runners in scoring position with less than two outs. While it’s entirely possible that Kemp is still hurting from shoulder surgery and not letting anyone know about it, it’s his job to drive in runs.

Fans patience with Ethier is starting to run thin as he’s gotten off to a slow start, which has contributed to the Dodgers offensive woes.

3) Making the Right Play

With a team fighting to score runs, the Dodgers need to manufacture runners better. With runners in scoring position with less than two outs, they should look to move runners over or even bunting to put pressure on the defense.

Yes, playing small ball isn’t exciting, but at this point I think everyone would take a win over excitement. The Dodgers have been hit by injuries, but it’s no excuse for failing to make a simple play in a ball game.

Pitching Probables 5/10-5/12:

MIA-Jose Fernandez (1-2, 3.48) vs. LAD-Matt Magill (0-0, 7.48)
MIA-Kevin Slowey (1-2, 1.81) vs. LAD-Hyun-Jin Ryu (3-2, 3.71)
MIA-Wade LeBlanc (0-5, 6.11) vs. LAD-Chris Capuano (0-2, 10.38)

Series Prediction: Dodgers sweep

 

Ross Gasmer

Ross Gasmer is a Social Media Producer for @TheHerd and was a contributing writer and editor for Dodger Nation. Follow him on Twitter @Ross_Gasmer12

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