Miami Marlins vs La Dodgers Dodgers Picks and Predictions September 17th 2024

Dodgers, Chasing NL’s Top Seed, Look to Take Advantage of Marlins

The Los Angeles Dodgers will begin a critical three-game road series against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night as they chase the top seed in the National League playoffs. With just a few games left in the regular season, every win is crucial for Los Angeles (89-61), which is currently one game behind the Philadelphia Phillies (90-60) for the best record in the NL.

The Dodgers hold a 3 1/2-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the NL West and are looking to strengthen their playoff position against a struggling Marlins team.

Momentum Building for Dodgers After Dominant Series Finale

The Dodgers enter the series with force subsequent to parting a four-game set against the Atlanta Overcomes. Los Angeles outscored the Overcomes 18-2 in the last two games, remembering a 9-0 shutout for Monday. Previous Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas assumed an essential part, arriving at base multiple times with a hit, two strolls, and a taken base.

Manager Dave Roberts praised Rojas, saying, “He exemplifies what I expect in a player.”

The Dodgers will hope to convey this energy into the series against the Marlins, where they mean to take advantage of Miami’s last-place remaining in the NL.

Bobby Mill operator Starts for Los Angeles

Bobby Mill operator (2-4, 8.17 Period) will begin for the Dodgers in Tuesday’s opener. The 25-year-old right-hander has had a difficult season following a noteworthy newbie year in 2022, where he went 11-4 with a 3.76 Time. This season, Mill operator’s numbers have declined, as his hits-per-nine-innings have ascended to 10.3, and his strolls and homers permitted have likewise expanded.

Despite his struggles, Miller has the tools to succeed, boasting a 100 mph fastball and a plus curveball. The Dodgers will hope he can return to form against the Marlins, a team he has never faced.

Shohei Ohtani Chases Historic Milestone

Dodgers assigned hitter Shohei Ohtani is very nearly impacting the world forever. He wants only two additional takes and three additional homers to turn into the primary player in significant league history to accomplish a 50-50 season in those classifications. Miami catcher Nick Fortes will be one of the central participants attempting to prevent Ohtani from leaving an imprint on the basepaths.

Ohtani’s capability to affect the game with the two his bat and his legs adds one more layer of interest to the series as he eyes this uncommon accomplishment.

Marlins Struggling Down the Stretch

The Miami Marlins (55-95) come into this series with the worst record in the National League, having dropped six of their last seven games on a rough road trip through Pittsburgh and Washington. Tuesday’s series opener against the Dodgers marks the start of Miami’s final homestand of the season, which features six tough games against Los Angeles and Atlanta.

While Miami has been eliminated from postseason contention, manager Skip Schumaker will be looking for improvement from the club’s young players in the remaining games.

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Darren McCaughan Gets the Nod for Miami

The Marlins will send right-hander Darren McCaughan (0-0, 7.06 ERA) to the mound on Tuesday. The 28-year-old will be making just his fifth career major league start, his fourth this season. McCaughan has a career ERA of 7.64 as a starter and 6.66 in relief appearances, with limited success in both roles.

Given his struggles to pitch deep into games—he has never lasted longer than five innings in a start—Miami’s bullpen is expected to play a significant role on Tuesday.

Jonah Bride Shining for Miami

One bright spot for the Marlins has been the performance of corner infielder Jonah Bride, who has impressed since being acquired from the Oakland A’s in a February trade. Bride has posted a .771 OPS with 15 extra-base hits in just 59 games this season, emerging as a key piece for Miami’s future.

“Jonah has been a pleasant surprise,” Schumaker said. “He’s taking good at-bats, taking walks when needed, and when he gets a chance, he takes it.”

As Miami looks ahead to 2024, players like Bride will be essential in the team’s rebuilding efforts.

Key Players to Watch

• Bobby Miller: The young Dodgers pitcher will be looking to find his form as he takes the mound against a Marlins team he has never faced. A solid outing from Miller would be a huge boost for Los Angeles as they push for the NL’s top seed.
• Shohei Ohtani: With a potential historic milestone in sight, Ohtani is always a player to watch. His ability to impact the game both offensively and on the basepaths will be crucial for the Dodgers.
• Jonah Bride: For the Marlins, Bride has been a standout performer down the stretch. His emergence as a consistent contributor gives Miami a reason for optimism despite their struggles.
• Darren McCaughan: McCaughan’s ability to hold off the Dodgers’ potent offense will be critical for the Marlins. Given his history of short outings, Miami’s bullpen will need to be ready for a potentially long night.

Playoff Push in Focus

As the Dodgers proceed with their mission for the National League’s favorite, the series against the Marlins presents a chance for Los Angeles to benefit from a striving rival. With simply a modest bunch of games left in the standard season, each success is fundamental for the Dodgers as they mean to surpass the Phillies and secure the top season finisher spot.

For the Marlins, the attention stays on player improvement and working for what’s to come. Be that as it may, they will without a doubt hope to play spoiler and get a couple of comes out on top for against a group with title yearnings.