After playing just three games at Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Dodgers now begin a road trip that is equally as short with only one series against the Seattle Mariners.
Bobby Miller takes the bump for the Dodgers in the opener at T-Mobile Park. He’s gone 9-3 with a 3.98 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 18 starts and is looking to rebound from somewhat of a frustrating performance where perhaps the rookie pitched one inning too many.
Miller collected eight strikeouts but ultimately gave up five runs on six hits over seven innings of a no-decision in the Dodgers’ eventual loss to the Washington Nationals in extra innings. Miller had made it through six frames with just three runs allowed.
The Mariners counter with George Kirby, who is 10-9 with a 1.05 WHIP. Kirby is in his sophomore season, and in his last start against the Tampa Bay Rays, gave up four runs in 6.1 innings of work. Kirby has posted a 6.00 ERA in his last three starts but issued only two walks during that span.
Overall, Kirby is having a good season, having been selected as an All-Star and leading the league with 0.9 walks per nine innings.
Look for the Dodgers to hasten their reputation for patience at the plate and try to sit on for Kirby’s fastball and sinker, which he throws 40.2% and 21.4% of the time, respectively. Kirby also mixes in a slider, curveball and split-finger, and a rarely used changeup.
Only a few Dodgers have any experience against Kirby, but J.D. Martinez is 3-for-6 against him with a home run. Amed Rosario and Kiké Hernández are a combined 0-for-7.
This is the first meeting between the Mariners and Dodgers since May 2021 Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers are 6-2 over their last two series against them going back to 2020.
This is also the Dodgers’ first look at Julio Rodríguez, who is having an All-Star season. Last season’s American League Rookie of the Year, Rodríguez is batting .289/.344/.505 with 30 home runs.
As a team, the Mariners are 10th in MLB in runs scored, 11th in home runs and 13th in slugging percentage. Their offense is not where their strength lies, however, as they lead the league in overall ERA and are tied for first in walks allowed. Mariners pitchers are eighth in home runs allowed and seventh in hits allowed.
While the Dodgers nearly have their National League West title clinched, the Mariners are currently in a dogfight in the AL Wild Card race.
David Peralta was scratched from the Dodgers lineup due to lower back tightness. He was replaced by Kiké Hernández.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
DH: J.D. Martinez
RF: Jason Heyward
LF: Kiké Hernández
CF: James Outman
SS: Miguel Rojas
Marlins lineup
SS: J.P. Crawford
CF: Julio Rodríguez
C: Cal Raleigh
RF: Teoscar Hernández
3B: Eugenio Suárez
LF: Jarred Kelenic
1B: Ty France
DH: Dominic Canzone
2B: Josh Rojas
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