The Los Angeles Dodgers have reached the end of their seven-game road trip with an opportunity to clinch a postseason berth by winning the series rubber match against the Miami Marlins.
While that could guarantee the Dodgers a spot in the 2024 MLB postseason, work would remain ahead to clinch the National League West title as the San Diego Padres remain in the race. Regardless of how matters unfold, the Dodgers are primed to reach the playoffs for a 12th consecutive year.
The Milwaukee Brewers (NL Central) and New York Yankees (postseason berth) are the only teams to punch their tickets for October baseball so far in 2024.
As for Thursday’s game specifically, Jack Flaherty takes the mound as he tries to move past struggling against the Atlanta Braves last week.
The right-hander endured his roughest outing since being traded to the Dodgers, as Flaherty allowed four runs on five hits and four walks over just three innings pitched. The outing was Flaherty’s shortest of the season.
Prior to that start, he’d gone 5-1 with a 2.61 ERA and 3.58 FIP with the Dodgers. Overall with the team, Flaherty has allowed three earned runs or fewer in six of eight outings.
Flaherty is a career 2-2 with a 2.55 ERA against the Marlins, which includes a 2-0 mark and 0.00 ERA in two starts at loanDepot Park.
The Marlins counter with Edward Cabrera, who is 4-7 with a 4.55 ERA in 18 starts this season. Cabrera has not allowed an earned run in his last two outings.
Shohei Ohtani is two home runs away and needs one stolen base to become the first player in MLB history with a 50-50 season. Ohtani’s 49th home run will tie with Shawn Green for the all-time Dodgers franchise record.
Miguel Rojas is out of the Dodgers lineup for a second consecutive game due to right leg soreness he’s played through in recent weeks. Teoscar Hernández also isn’t starting as he’s been mired in a skid.
Dodgers lineup
DH: Shohei Ohtani
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
SS: Tommy Edman
3B: Max Muncy
2B: Gavin Lux
CF: Andy Pages
LF: Chris Taylor
Marlins lineup
SS: Xavier Edwards
3B: Connor Norby
LF: Jesús Sánchez
1B: Jake Burger
DH: Jonah Bride
CF: Kyle Stowers
2B: Otto Lopez
RF: Griffin Conine
C: Nick Fortes
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