2025-05-05 Dodgers at Marlins Matchup Preview

Pitching Matchup: Ben Casparius vs. Sandy Alcantara

Ben Casparius is set to take the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers, facing a Miami Marlins team eager to capitalize on their home-field advantage. Casparius will need to leverage his strengths effectively to navigate the Marlins' lineup. He'll be looking to showcase his ability to locate pitches effectively, utilizing movement and velocity to keep hitters off balance and induce weak contact. Limiting walks and keeping the ball in the ballpark will be key for Casparius' success in this outing.

On the other side, Sandy Alcantara will be tasked with shutting down a powerful Dodgers offense. Alcantara’s repertoire is well-regarded throughout the league, and his capacity to command the strike zone and generate outs efficiently will be critical. If he can command a strong outing, the Marlins will be in a good position to win. He will rely on movement to fool hitters into chasing pitches outside the zone and also needs to be mindful of not allowing extra base hits due to leaving pitches in the zone.

Dodgers' Offensive Outlook

The Los Angeles Dodgers enter this game with a strong offensive profile. Their team weighted on-base average is a metric that emphasizes their ability to get on base, and their team linear weights runs created indicates their capacity to generate runs. Dodgers hitters will need to stay disciplined and avoid expanding the strike zone against Alcantara. Their ability to work counts, get on base and capitalize with runners in scoring position will be paramount to driving in runs and putting pressure on the Marlins pitching staff.

The Dodgers have a team Wins Above Replacement of 7.2, demonstrating their all-around ability to find ways to win games. The team's older average age of 30 years of age could benefit them as well with veteran experience. Patience at the plate and the ability to hit Alcantara's pitches at the right time will be key to their success in this game.

Marlins' Offensive Outlook

The Miami Marlins' offense will need to find ways to manufacture runs against Casparius. Their current team Wins Above Replacement is 2.5, which illustrates that it could be a struggle. The Marlins will need to focus on stringing together quality at-bats and taking advantage of any opportunities presented to them. Working the count, stealing bases, and getting runners into scoring position will be vital for the Marlins to generate offense.

The Marlins also have a relatively younger team with an average age of 27 and they will look to leverage that youth and energy into getting on base. The Marlins' hitters will need to be aggressive early in the count, and get the bat on the ball. They cannot afford to fall behind in the count, as this will give Casparius a distinct advantage.

Game Prediction

This game features a contrast in offensive approaches, with the Dodgers showcasing a more potent lineup and the Marlins relying on a more scrappy, opportunistic style of play. The pitching matchup between Casparius and Alcantara adds another layer of intrigue, as both pitchers will look to establish their dominance early in the game. While Alcantara is a seasoned veteran, the Dodgers' offense is one of the best in baseball and will find a way to get to him. Casparius will provide a solid outing that should limit the Marlins offense and lead to a Dodgers victory.

Dodgers 6 Marlins 2