Los Angeles Dodgers at Miami Marlins series primer
Things are sinking -- and fast -- for the Miami Marlins.
After being swept by the St. Louis Cardinals, Miami (30-44) continues its nine-game homestand with the Los Angeles Dodgers in town. The Marlins have dropped seven of eight games, scoring 17 runs in the process. They have dropped to 10.5 back in the National League East.
Los Angeles (41-33) hasn't captured a series in two weeks but comes off a four-game split with the Chicago Cubs by winning the last two. The Dodgers are just one game up on the San Francisco Giants in the NL West.
A pair of southpaws will do battle to open the series on Friday night. Rookie Justin Nicolino recorded a historic major-league debut last Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds, becoming the first Marlins pitcher to throw as many as seven scoreless innings to start his career. Brett Anderson snapped a three-game skid in his last start, giving up one run on five hits over six frames against the Giants. He has permitted three runs or fewer in all but two of his 14 starts.
Right-hander Tom Koehler returns to the mound after being scratched from his last start with neck/back stiffness. Prior to the discomfort, he had pitched into the seventh in each of his last three outings. In a no decision against the New York Yankees, he gave up a run on three hits in seven innings. Three-time NL Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw rides a two-game losing streak having surrendered seven combined runs on nine hits with 19 strikeouts over 13 frames versus the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs.
Command has been an issue for rookie Jose Urena in his last two starts, walking seven batters while striking out just three. Still, he has gone at least six innings in four of his five starts this month. Urena has allowed three runs or less in each of them. It won't get easier for the Marlins offense with Major League Baseball's ERA leader in righty Zack Greinke. He hasn't permitted a run in 13 consecutive innings. And yet, he hasn't won since May 5 -- a span of nine starts.
Miami dropped two of three in Los Angeles in May. In the series opener, then-closer Steve Cishek blew a save opportunity when Scott Van Slyke blasted a three-run, walk-off homer. The Dodgers have a 6-4 record at Marlins Park.
Here's a look at the upcoming Dodgers-Marlins three-game series:
SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHERS
WHO'S HOT
CF Joc Pederson (Dodgers): Pederson has driven in a run in four of his last six games, including a pinch-hit sacrifice fly on Thursday. Though his last multi-hit game came on June 16 and he is 5 for his past 20, Pederson has made the most of them with two doubles and two homers.
RF Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins): Stanton rides a career-best 12-game home hitting streak (.439 average). He is 5 for 10 on the homestand with two homers, two walks and three RBI. Stanton has dingers in four of his last nine games to lead the majors with 27 total.
WHO'S NOT
LF Alex Guerrero (Dodgers): Guerrero is just 1 for 15 and 4 for his last 23. His last multi-hit game was on May 19. Of course, eight of his recent at-bats were of the pinch-hit variety. In back-to-back starts against the Cubs, however, he went 1 for 6.
C JT Realmuto (Marlins): Realmuto is 1 for 11 (.091) with a walk and two strikeouts on this homestand. He has gone 2 for his last 19 since returning from back discomfort last weekend in Cincinnati.
STORYLINES
.990: Fielding percentage for the Dodgers, best in the majors. They recently surpassed the Marlins (.989).
12: RBI for Yasiel Puig in 10 games (nine starts) against the Marlins, the most for him versus a non-NL West opponent. He has a .263 average with three doubles and three homers. Puig has sat out two straight days with a callus on his left hand.
.059: Average with runners in scoring position for the Marlins over their last five losses. They have gone 2 for 34 while stranding 36 men on base.
475: Foot homer for Giancarlo Stanton on May 12 off righty Chad Bolsinger. It caromed off the back of the left-field canopy and out of Dodger Stadium.
QUOTE BOARD
"You're just going to have to keep grinding. ...They're grinding through, but right now the results are not there. That's what we're looking for. ... These guys are the best pitching staff in the National League ERA-wise, and we knew we were going to have to grind out the at-bats, but you have to take advantage of opportunities when you get them. We've not been doing that, and it's a little frustrating." -- Manager Dan Jennings on the offense's struggles
"It's very hard. Obviously it's pretty much dead silent in here right now. I don't know where to gauge it, but things aren't going well. It's tough to really describe. The game ain't stopping, we got to come out tomorrow and play." -- Right-hander Dan Haren on dropping seven of eight, including a sweep to the Cardinals
PROMOTIONS & GIVEAWAYS
June 26 -- Happy Hour at the Budweiser Bow Tie Bar (pregame); Nickelodeon Night supporting Young at Art; Fireworks Friday
June 27 -- All You Can Eat Seats; Saturday Spectacular (postgame party on West Plaza)
June 28 -- 2003 Replica World Series Ring courtesy of FOX Sports Florida (1st 10,000 fans); Diamond Dash (postgame -- all kids); Josh Beckett Day; Pepsi 4-for-$74; Selfie Sunday (photos with a player pregame -- all kids); Sunday Funday
LOOKING AHEAD
The Marlins get Monday off before closing out their nine-game homestand with the Giants. Ace Jose Fernandez will return from Tommy John surgery to start on Thursday.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.