Miami @ Los Angeles preview
Dodger Stadium
Last Meeting ( Apr 28, 2025 ) Miami 6, LA Dodgers 7
The Los Angeles Dodgers will try to revive some of their bullpen magic from the 2024 postseason when they host the Miami Marlins in the middle contest of a three-game series on Tuesday night.
The Dodgers will use their relievers to cover nine innings in a return to the postseason strategy that rallied them out of a National League Division Series deficit and helped them win a World Series title.
Last year's postseason pitching plan came out of necessity, with the Dodgers down to three starters during the most important time of the year. They are in a similar quandary this season with starters Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow on the injured list.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts already has tried a bullpen game this season without success in a road contest against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. Seven pitches combined to give up eight hits in a 7-6 loss.
"Pitching is certainly volatile," Roberts said. "We experienced it last year (and) essentially every year. I think the thing that's probably most disconcerting is the bullpen leading Major League Baseball in bullpen innings."
Los Angeles relievers already have been asked to cover 126 innings, including 4 2/3 in a 7-6 victory over the Marlins on Monday.
"That's where my head is at as far as making sure we don't red line these guys," Roberts said.
After the Dodgers squandered an early five-run lead in Monday's series opener, Tommy Edman delivered a game-ending two-run single in the 10th inning. Teoscar Hernandez homered for Los Angeles.
Miami will send right-hander Sandy Alcantara (2-2, 6.56 ERA) to the mound on Tuesday.
The 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner, who missed last season following Tommy John surgery, will try to bounce back from consecutive losses when he gave up a combined nine runs in eight innings to the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds.
Alcantara is 2-3 with an 8.38 ERA in six career starts against the Dodgers.
Marlins manager Clayton McCullough received a warm welcome before Monday's series opener when he was presented with his 2024 World Series ring. He exchanged pleasantries with Dodgers players and participated in a group photo.
McCullough was the Dodgers' well-liked first-base coach for the past four years. He also served as the team's outfield and baserunning instructor before he was named Marlins manager in November.
"A lot of our guys, I think they're excited as well," McCullough said of his new team. "(The World Series) is our goal. That's everybody's goal. We're taking steps to put ourselves (in position). ... I think we're at a stage with our group that let's be better today than we were yesterday."
The Marlins looked inspired when they tied Monday's game in the sixth inning on an RBI hit from Eric Wagaman and a pinch-hit grand slam from Dane Myers. They moved in front in the 10th on a double from Jesus Sanchez before the Dodgers answered.
After Miami rookie catcher Agustin Ramirez burst onto the scene with nine hits in his first five games, including three home runs and five RBIs, he went 0-for-4 in his first game at Dodger Stadium.
"I've been working a lot at the plate, working a lot with the staff," Ramirez told reporters through an interpreter. "Trying to make good decisions at the plate, and that's what we've been doing."
--Field Level Media