Marlins at Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been on a roll of late and attempt to keep it going when they host the struggling Miami Marlins on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Los Angeles received a scare in the opener as Miami scored in the top of the eighth to forge a tie, but it answered in the bottom half to escape with a 2-1 victory.
It was the seventh win in eight games for the Dodgers as they received a solid effort from Walker Buehler, who scattered four hits and three walks over five innings in his first career start. Kike Hernandez collected half of Los Angeles' six hits, including a solo homer in the fourth for his second blast in three contests. Miami also managed only six hits in the series opener as it suffered its fifth consecutive loss and 15th in 18 games. J.T. Realmuto has been swinging a hot bat for the Marlins, going 2-for-4 on Monday for his third multi-hit performance in five contests.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Dillon Peters (2-2, 6.98 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Kenta Maeda (2-1, 3.77)
Peters has struggled on the road thus far this season, surrendering 13 runs on 12 hits and eight walks over 7 1/3 innings in two starts - both losses. The 25-year-old native of Indiana was reached for runs on only three hits in a setback at Milwaukee on Thursday but issued five free passes in 4 2/3 frames. Peters will be making his 11th career start and first against Los Angeles.
Maeda recorded 10 strikeouts for the second time in his three starts Wednesday at San Diego and picked up the victory despite allowing four runs and eight hits over 5 2/3 innings. The 30-year-old from Japan lasted only 2 2/3 frames in his previous turn as he yielded five runs - two earned - and five hits in a loss to Arizona. Maeda is hoping the third time starting against Miami will be the charm as he went 0-2 with a 4.26 ERA in his first two career outings versus the club.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers LHP Rich Hill (finger) is expected to throw a simulated game on Tuesday and could be activated to start Sunday at San Francisco.
2. Miami 2B Starlin Castro has gone 5-for-12 over his last three contests.
3. Los Angeles designated RHP Wilmer Font for assignment on Monday to make room on the roster for Buehler.