Dodgers Marlins Game Four Preview

The Dodgers are looking for a win tonight in order to avoid a four game sweep from the Miami Marlins.

Before we get into the meat and potatoes of this preview, I just wanted to make it known that I love this picture. Dave Robert’s face has literally been my face this entire series and I feel like Adrian Gonzalez and Yasiel Puig are making a plan for how they are going to get more than two hits tonight.

Besides all of that, the Dodgers are sending Kenta Maeda to the mound tonight. There is no doubt about it, Maeda has not only made a great first impression in his first few starts, he has exceeded expectations. He is coming into tonight’s start with a record of 3-0, an ERA of just 0.36. The 28 year-old has only given up one run in his first four starts, but what might be even more impressive is the fact that he hit a solo home run in his debut with the Dodgers. He has allowed one run, but also given the boys in blue a run of their own. In 25.1 innings pitched, he has struck out 23 betters and walked five. Maeda has set the bar really high in his first four starts, Dodger fans can only hope he continues with that momentum. The Dodgers starting pitching in this series has been doing okay, but they are giving up a few runs in particularly tough innings then settling down. Unfortunately, bats have been quiet so the Dodgers have not been able to bounce back.

The Miami Marlins are sending their ace to the mound, Jose Fernandez. Fernandez is coming into tonight’s game with a record of 1-2 and an ERA of 4.37. At just 23 years of age, Fernandez is entering his fourth season with the Marlins. However, in 2014 he only started eight games and last year in 2015, he only started another 11 games. He has struggled with injuries in his first four seasons. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2014, Fernandez has not fully bounced back yet. He has gotten off on a bit of a rough start in 2016, but that is too be expected since he went so long without pitching. In his first four starts or 22.2 innings in 2016, Fernandez has given up 11 earned runs.

Tonight’s Dodger lineup is as follows:

Chase Utley is leading off tonight and Carl Crawford is getting the start in left. Howie Kendrick is starting at third and that will give Justin Turner a day off. Yasmani Grandal is back in the lineup after A.J Ellis got the start last night. Other than that, it looks like a typical lineup put together by Roberts.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM tonight and the game will be shown on Sports Net LA.