Fresh off sweeping the Washington Nationals and in the midst of a season-best nine-game winning streak, the Los Angeles Dodgers now take on the struggling Miami Marlins. Monday’s series opener is the final leg of their road trip, and the Dodgers enter 25-18 away from Dodger Stadium.
Overall, their 53 wins are tied with the Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants for the most in baseball. The Dodgers enter play at loanDepot Park trailing the Giants by a half-game for first place in the National League West.
Justin Turner and Albert Pujols both are in the Dodgers lineup after appearing as pinch-hitters on Sunday. Turner avoided serious injury when a ball thrown in the direction of his head glanced off the left shoulder and ricocheted into the helmet ear flap rather than being struck in the face.
On the mound the Dodgers start All-Star Game snub Walker Buehler. He’s 8-1 with a 2.35 ERA this season and is yet to suffer a loss on the road. Moreover, Buehler has logged at least six innings in all 16 starts this year.
The Marlins counter with Trevor Rogers, who is 7-5 with a 2.14 ERA this season. The southpaw allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of five starts last season but only completed more than six innings once.
Rogers is coming off somewhat of a wild appearance as he issued four walks in 5.2 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies last week. That could lead to trouble against a disciplined team such as the Dodgers, though they have endured their share of struggles against lefty starters.
Pujols has helped mitigate some of that as he is batting .325/.358/.662 with a 178 wRC+ against left-handers this season. The future Hall of Famer also has a streak of driving in a run in his past four games.
Prior to the game the Dodgers reinstated Scott Alexander from the 60-day injured list and optioned Garrett Cleavinger to Triple-A Oklahoma City. A secondary move on the 40-man roster was not required as a vacancy was created when MLB placed Trevor Bauer on administrative leave/the restricted list.
Dodgers lineup
CF: Chris Taylor
LF: AJ Pollock
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Albert Pujols
C: Will Smith
RF: Steven Souza Jr.
SS: Gavin Lux
2B: Zach McKinstry
P: Walker Buehler
Marlins lineup
2B: Jazz Chisholm Jr.
CF: Starling Marte
1B: Garrett Cooper
RF: Adam Duvall
SS: Miguel Rojas
LF: Jesus Sanchez
C: Jorge Alfaro
3B: Joe Panik
P: Trevor Rogers
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
