Marlins at Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers raced to the top of the standings in front of the All-Star Game on the strength of the best rotation in the majors but are showing off their offense since coming back from the break. The Dodgers will try to keep the hits coming when they return home to host the Miami Marlins in the opener of a three-game series on Friday.
Los Angeles suffered an 8-1 loss at Boston last Friday in the first game following the break but piled up 55 runs over the next six contests to bash their way to four wins over the Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies. The Dodgers boast a major league-best 37-12 home record and will play 15 of the next 21 games in front of their own fans as they continue to put distance between themselves and the rest of the National League. The Marlins are on the opposite end of the standings with the worst record in the NL and are not quite as strong on offense while scoring two or fewer runs in seven of the last 12 contests. Miami will try to string some hits together in support of rookie Zac Gallen but face a tough test against Los Angeles ace Hyun-Jin Ryu.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Zac Gallen (0-1, 4.24 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (10-2, 1.78)
Gallen is making his fifth career start and allowed three or fewer runs in each of the first four, though he failed to work more than five innings in any of those outings. The 23-year-old struggled with his control against the New York Mets on Sunday, issuing five walks in as many innings while surrendering two runs and four hits in a no-decision. Gallen was 9-1 with a 1.77 ERA in 14 starts for Triple-A New Orleans before being recalled.
Ryu started the All-Star Game for the NL and came back from the break with seven strong innings at Boston on Sunday, scattering two runs and eight hits over seven innings without factoring in the decision. The South Korea native allowed two or fewer earned runs in 17 of his 18 starts, with the lone blemish coming at Colorado on June 28. Ryu last faced Miami on May 18, 2017, when he allowed two runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings to earn a win.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers INF Max Muncy is doing his part in the offensive surge by totaling eight runs scored in the last six games.
2. Miami RHP Sergio Romo is enjoying a string of seven straight scoreless appearances.
3. Los Angeles UTIL Kike Hernandez homered twice on Thursday.