The Los Angeles Dodgers (61-52) and Miami Marlins (51-62) will continue a three-game National League series on Saturday night at Marlins Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 ET

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Miami Marlins 

Los Angeles came away with a 5-2 series-opening win against Miami on Friday night, as third baseman Hanley Ramirez played an important role in the victory against his former team, notching three hits in five at-bats.  “We don’t expect anything less from him,” commented Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw.   The Dodgers have won four of their last five games against the Marlins, but are still 5-7 in their last 12 overall in this series.  Los Angeles is 16-15 as a road favorite of -125 to -150 the last two-plus seasons, with the “over” going 18-11 in that situation.

Dodgers starting pitcher Joe Blanton (8-9, 4.52 ERA) didn’t factor into the decision of a 7-6 home win over the Chicago Cubs in his last effort, allowing two runs and five hits over six frames.  The right-hander is 4-6 with a 4.59 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) on the road, issuing just nine walks and striking out 54 batters in 66.2 innings.  In 12 lifetime efforts versus the Marlins, Blanton has compiled a 7-4 record and 3.58 ERA.

Miami has managed to score just three runs in losing its last two games, which directly followed a two-game win streak that saw the club plate 17 runners in that span.  “We got a couple chances,” stated Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen.  “We couldn’t get it done.”  The Marlins are hoping for a better result offensively with the return of shortstop Jose Reyes, who received a night off in the opener, but he’s batting .194 in his career against Blanton.  Miami is 13-41 as a home underdog of +100 to +125 since 2010.

Marlins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco (8-11, 4.95 ERA) will try to snap a five-game losing streak, which includes issuing eight combined walks in his last two efforts.  The right-hander is 3-6 with a 5.04 ERA in 11 home outings, with opposing hitters batting .277 against him.  In four career starts versus the Dodgers, Nolasco has tallied an 0-2 record and 7.33 ERA, allowing 37 hits in 23.1 frames.

Sports bettors will likely back the Dodgers due to their 20-6 mark on Saturdays, while the Marlins are 0-4 in Nolasco’s last four efforts as a home underdog.

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