Series Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers @ Florida Marlins, April 9-11, Games 4-6

NL East Standings

Stadium: Sun Life Stadium
Five-year Run PF: 0.99
Five-year HR PF: 0.97
Stadium Dimensions:
Left Field: 330 ft.
Left-Center: 361
Center Field: 404
Right-Center: 361
Right Field: 345

Projected Pitching Matchups

April 5: Chris Volstad vs. Hiroki Kuroda
April 7: Josh Johnson vs. Vicente Padilla
April 8: Anibal Sanchez vs. Charlie Haeger

CHONE Projections

Projected Lineups

Marlins

*Baker and Paulino are platooning. Projected wOBA vs. RHP is for Baker, vs. LHP is for Paulino.

**Runs/Game totals using estimates of platoons component values and this lineup simulator. Totals are derived as runs/game against only lefties or righties

Notes

– The Fish will send to the mound three pitchers who are all looking to rebound from something. Starting tonigh is Chris Volstad, who has not looked good since some time early last season. He had an awful spring that had quite a few fans calling for his head (to head down to Triple-A, that is). He’ll look to rebound against a fairly potent Dodgers offense. Sanchez will get the third start of the series and is looking to bounce back from a similarly poor spring. Both pitchers will be key to the Marlins’ success this year.

– The guy in the middle, Josh Johnson, is looking to bounce back from a poor outing on Opening Day. JJ looked uncharacteristically wild, walking four guys while only striking out three against the Mets. The lineup the Dodgers send out there won’t make it any easier, but JJ does an easier pitching matchup than his last time out. The Dodgers will send out Vicente Padilla, who is about as mediocre a pitcher can get. Much better than trying to swing against Johan Santana.

– Speaking of that game, my girlfriend and I will be there live, and this time I mean it! Already purchased the tickets last night. We’ll be sitting in section 103, so if you’re going to be there for the Saturday game, come and drop by! I’m fairly certain I’ll be the only Asian guy there, though I can’t be exactly sure.

– The final game will feature an interesting pitcher in knuckleballer Charlie Haeger. The good news is Haeger is a 26 year old guy who just last season cracked a major league roster. The bad news is the Marlins hitters are not familiar in the least bit with the knuckleball and Haeger complements that offering with a low- to mid-80’s fastball that has to look like a 98 mph pitch after the knuckler. He isn’t supposed to be good (at least according to CHONE), but I wouldn’t be surprised if we struggled.