The Los Angeles Dodgers remained undefeated against the Miami Marlins this season behind an extra-innings win and now can take the series at loanDepot Park.
Saturday’s game features an intriguing pitching matchup with two of the most electric arms in baseball in Dusty May and Sandy Alcántara.
May’s start is his second since returning from from Tommy John surgery. In his last outing, which also was against the Marlins, May tossed five dominant shutout innings while racking up nine strikeouts and just one hit allowed, giving him some confidence moving forward.
May displayed his full arsenal of pitches in his last start, generating 13 whiffs and 16 swings on pitches out of the zone. He showcased velocity as well, touching 99.2 mph on his four-seam fastball.
As for Alcántara, he’s trying to rebound from his worst outing of the 2022 season. The Dodgers forced Alcantara out of his Aug. 21 start after just 3.2 innings and six earned runs on 10 hits.
Overall, he’s posted an 11-6 record with a 2.19 ERA and a 2.86 FIP across 25 starts this season, but since the All-Star break, is just 2-2 with a 3.76 ERA in six outings.
Even after his previous start against the Dodgers, Alcantara ranks third in baseball in ERA and eighth in overall FIP. In three career starts versus L.A., he is 0-3 with a 14.79 record and has allowed 23 earned runs in just 14 innings pitched.
Following Friday’s game, manager Dave Roberts revealed Chris Martin wasn’t available due to an elbow issue and Caleb Ferguson’s workload was still being managed as a precaution in his return from Tommy John surgery.
The Dodgers enter play on Saturday leading Major League Baseball with an 87-37 record, 7.5 games better than the Houston Astros. They’ve won seven of their last 10 games and feature a +279 run differential this season.
Gavin Lux remains out of the Dodgers lineup a fourth consecutive game as he is still on the mend from neck trouble. Meanwhile, Freddie Freeman is one ahead of Trea Turner for the MLB lead in hits with 158.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Trea Turner
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
DH: Justin Turner
LF: Joey Gallo
2B: Chris Taylor
CF: Cody Bellinger
Marlins lineup
3B: Joey Wendle
2B: Jon Berti
RF: Brian Anderson
CF: JJ Bleday
DH: Garrett Cooper
SS: Miguel Rojas
1B: Lewin Díaz
C: Jacob Stallings
LF: Peyton Burdick
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