Dodgers Marlins Game Two Preview

The Dodgers look to get back in the win column and defeat Don Mattingly‘s Marlins for the first time this season.

Yesterday’s game was a win for the Dodgers. Really, it was a loss. Clayton Kershaw threw three innings yesterday, and is reportedly playing catch before today’s game. That’s a win in my book.

In “baseball’s” book, the Dodgers lost. Kershaw allowed a pair of runs in those two innings, and Jose Fernandez struck out everyone. They fought late to not get shut out, but the Marlins took game one and remain unbeaten in five matchups against the Dodgers.

Dodgers Starter

Rich Hill looks to hand the Marlins their first loss against the Dodgers. Hill had his blister issues, but since returning to the rotation he’s been a beast. He hasn’t allowed a run in 12 innings as a Dodger. More impressively, he’s allowed eight baserunners and struck out 11 batters in that time.

Both of those starts came against divisional rivals at home. Hill will be making his first start on the road as a Dodger, and his first start against a team whose city doesn’t start with “San”. Hill was a dominant road starter as an A, as he won each of his seven starts and only allowed seven runs in 44.2 road innings.

This will be Hill’s 17th start of the season, and he’s yet to give up more than three runs in a game. He’s only given up three in a game twice, so you can expect him to give the Dodgers a great chance to win today (if they choose to score).

Marlins Starter

Tom Koehler will make his 29th start of the season today. He’s 9-10, but a 3.87 ERA and a 4.10 FIP shows me that he’s a solid back-end arm. Koehler doesn’t really have a stat that jumps off the page, but he’s quietly been a solid arm in Miami.

Koehler is coming off six scoreless innings in Cleveland, but the Indians scored six on the Marlins bullpen for a win. He’s been consistent this season and has only failed to complete five innings in four of his 28 outings.

Koehler threw five innings against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium back in April. He held the Dodgers to two runs and three hits in five innings, although he did walk four batters. Koehler leans on a fastball/curveball/slider combo and has a changeup and sinker.

Dodgers Lineup

Howie Kendrick is back in the lineup and starting at second base, giving Chase Utley a day off. Yasiel Puig starts in left field while Josh Reddick stays in right. I’d probably like to see that flipped, with Reddick in left and Puig’s cannon in right.

Next: A Look at the Dodgers Potential Playoff Rotation

In other news, Andre Ethier was officially activated earlier today. To make room on the 40-man, Casey Fien was designated for assignment. Ethier’s role has yet to be determined, but I’d bet on him DHing a game or two in New York.

First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PST and will be shown on Sportnet LA.