Series Preview: Miami Marlins vs Los Angeles Dodgers

After a disappointing series-finale loss Sunday in Atlanta, the Miami Marlins return home for seven games to conclude the first half of the 2021 MLB season. Currently sitting 12 games below .500, the Marlins must go on a run as soon as possible to avoid falling out of potential postseason contention, but this will not be easy to do here with the defending World Series Champion Dodgers coming to town for four games.

The Dodgers come into this series as one of the hottest teams in baseball at the moment as they have won nine in a row. Los Angeles has scored the third most runs in baseball so far this year with 428 total, and are also an excellent road team with a 25-18 record away from Dodger Stadium. Whichever way you choose to look at it, it’s clear that this arguable must-win series will not be easy by any means.

The first pitch times and probable pitching matchups for each game of the series can be found below (Games at loanDepot Park, Miami, FL):

Miami Marlins (35-47, 5th in NL East) vs Los Angeles Dodgers (53-31, 2nd in NL West)

Monday, July 5

First Pitch: 6:40 pm ET

Probable Starters: Trevor Rogers (7-5, 2.14 ERA) vs Walker Buehler (8-1, 2.35 ERA)

Tuesday, July 6

First Pitch: 7:10 pm ET

Probable Starters: Pablo Lopez (4-5, 2.97 ERA) vs Tony Gonsolin (1-0, 2.81 ERA)

Wednesday, July 7

First Pitch: 7:10 pm ET

Probable Starters: TBD vs Julio Urias (10-3, 3.81 ERA)

Thursday, July 8

First Pitch: 12:10 pm ET

Probable Starters: Sandy Alcantara (5-7, 2.96 ERA) vs Clayton Kershaw (9-7, 3.39 ERA)

Marlins Players To Watch

• CF Starling Marte (#6) – .296 AVG, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 13 SB
• RF Adam Duvall (#14) – .230 AVG, 19 HR, 60 RBI, 5 SB
• SS Miguel Rojas (#19) – .250 AVG, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 5 SB

Dodgers Players To Watch

• 1B Max Muncy (#13) – .264 AVG, 18 HR, 47 RBI
• RF Mookie Betts (#50) – .247 AVG, 10 HR, 31 RBI, 7 SB
• 3B Justin Turner (#10) – .295 AVG, 13 HR, 41 RBI

What To Know

• Dodgers won previous series 2-1 in Los Angeles back on May 14-16, outscoring Miami 18-9 in three games.
• This series features four players selected as 2021 NL All-Stars: (LAD) Muncy, Betts, Taylor (MIA) Rogers
• Alcantara will be looking for a bounce-back showing against LA after allowing eight runs over 1.1 innings pitched back in May.

Series Prediction: Dodgers 3-1

Miami will win at least one game here, and possibly more. The Miami Marlins starting rotation will give them a chance against anyone, making this matchup against one of the best offensive and hottest teams in baseball must-see. Overall, I’ll say the Dodgers take three of four, but don’t necessarily count out Miami at home, especially if the offense starts to heat up.