Runs may be hard to come by in this one as Jose Fernandez (13-8, 3.03 ERA) and the Miami Marlins (69-71) go up against Clayton Kershaw (11-2, 1.79 ERA) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (79-60) in the first of a three-game series at Marlins Park. The Dodgers enter this series looking to continue a five-game winning streak. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Sep. 9 and will air on SNLA and FSFL.
In his last start, Fernandez pitched 5.2 innings, allowing seven runs (one unearned), striking out five and walking two in an 8-3 loss to the Indians. Christian Yelich (.302, 71 Rs, 18 HRs, 86 RBIs, 8 SBs) went 1 for 4 Wednesday with one RBI. The Dodgers were also unsuccessful the last time Kershaw pitched. He struggled, going 6.0 innings, giving up four runs, striking out four and walking two in a 4-3 loss to the Pirates. Corey Seager (.318, 94 Rs, 24 HRs, 66 RBIs, 1 SB) has been doing well offensively for the Dodgers, going 2 for 4 Wednesday with one run and one RBI.
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Los Angeles is 31-24, while Miami is 31-32.
The Dodgers managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Marlins who are heading in with an 18-8 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Marlins are 57-18. The Dodgers have a 56-16 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 26th, Miami is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 575 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top half with 628.
Ranking 22nd, Miami is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.728). Los Angeles ranks in the bottom half at 17th with an OPS of .737.
The Dodgers are 36-48 when they allow at least one home run. The Marlins perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 30-43 record.
