Everything You Need to Know For the Marlins, Dodgers Series

May 1, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins third baseman Casey McGehee (9) connects for an RBI double during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins have gotten their 9 game home stand started in fantastic fashion with a sweep of the N.L. East leading Atlanta Braves. Things don’t get much easier for the Fish as next on the schedule is the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers are coming off of a sweep of their own, this one against the Minnesota Twins. The Dodgers are currently in second place in the N.L. West with a 17-12 record, a half game behind the San Francisco Giants. Meanwhile the Marlins have reached .500 at 14-14, in a tie with the Philadelphia Phillies at the bottom of the N.L. East. Fortunately, the Marlins are only 3 games behind the Braves.

Storylines:

The Marlins are coming off of a series in which they hit so well that the Braves assumed that they must be cheating. The bats have come alive at home to a tune of 23 runs over 3 games. The pitching continues to be stellar as the Marlins allowed only 7 total runs against the Braves.

The Dodgers are playing well, and are about to get even stronger as N.L. Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw is returning to the rotation. Kershaw has been sidelined for much of the early season with a sore back. His absence has only further demonstrated how talented the rest of the rotation is as Zack Grienke and company have showed signs of dominance. Thankfully Kershaw will not start against the Fish as he will likely get his first return start against the Nationals. Yasiel Puig is always fun to watch and of course we get to see Hanley Ramirez return to Marlins Park.

Matchups:

Game 1: May 2nd, 7:10 PM EST
Dodgers: Josh Beckett (0-0, 2.45 ERA, 22 SO)
Marlins: Tom Koehler (2-2, 2.97 ERA, 20 SO)

Game 2: May 3rd, 7:10 PM EST
Dodgers: Paul Maholm (1-2, 4.74 ERA, 9 SO)
Marlins: Jacob Turner (0-0, 7.50 ERA, 1 SO)

Game 3: May 4th, 1:10 PM EST
Dodgers: Hyun-Jin Ryu (3-2, 3.00 ERA, 31 SO)
Marlins: Jose Fernandez (4-1, 1.59 ERA, 55 SO)

All of the games will be broadcast on television on Fox Sports Florida and on 940 WINZ on your radio dial. The weather won’t factor into the game as Marlins Park’s roof will likely be closed for the games.