MLB Gameday Preview: Marlins vs. Dodgers – Probable Pitchers, Lineups, and What to Watch

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Miami Marlins tonight at Dodger Stadium in a clash of National League contenders with contrasting trajectories. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. PT (10:10 p.m. ET / 02:10 UTC, April 29), with live coverage available on MLB.TV and local broadcasts. Here’s everything you need to know before the first pitch.

The Stakes: Playoff Positioning and Momentum

The Dodgers (18-9) enter the game riding a four-game winning streak, including a sweep of the San Francisco Giants over the weekend. Their offense, led by Mookie Betts (.312/.420/.589, 8 HR) and Shohei Ohtani (7 HR, 1.002 OPS), ranks second in MLB in runs per game (5.8). Meanwhile, the Marlins (14-13) have dropped three of their last four, including a 5-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. Miami’s pitching staff, anchored by Jesús Luzardo (2.84 ERA, 36 K in 31.2 IP), remains a bright spot, but their offense (.231 team batting average) ranks 25th in the league.

For Los Angeles, a win would extend their division lead in the NL West to 2.5 games over the San Diego Padres, even as Miami aims to avoid falling further behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East wild-card race. With both teams eyeing October, tonight’s game carries weight beyond the standings.

Probable Starting Pitchers

Los Angeles Dodgers: RHP Tyler Glasnow (3-1, 2.45 ERA)

• Glasnow has been dominant in his last three starts, allowing just three earned runs over 19 innings with 28 strikeouts.
• Opponents are hitting .186 against him this season, and he’s held right-handed batters to a .154 average.
• His fastball-slider combination has generated a 35.8% whiff rate, the highest among qualified NL starters.

Miami Marlins: LHP Jesús Luzardo (2-2, 2.84 ERA)

• Luzardo has been Miami’s most reliable starter, posting a 1.93 ERA in his last four outings.
• He’s struck out 10 or more batters in three of his six starts this season, including a 12-K performance against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 12.
• Left-handed hitters are batting just .179 against him, thanks to his devastating changeup (42.3% whiff rate).

This matchup pits two of the NL’s most electric arms against lineups that rank in the top 10 in strikeout rate. Expect a battle of fastballs and secondary pitches, with Glasnow’s slider (29.4% usage) likely to see heavy action against Luzardo’s changeup (22.3% usage).

Projected Lineups

Lineups are subject to change based on late injuries or managerial decisions. Last updated: 4:00 p.m. PT, April 28.

Los Angeles Dodgers

1. RF Mookie Betts (.312/.420/.589, 8 HR, 22 RBI)
2. DH Shohei Ohtani (.289/.398/.613, 7 HR, 19 RBI)
3. 1B Freddie Freeman (.333/.429/.556, 6 HR, 24 RBI)
4. 3B Max Muncy (.220/.347/.460, 7 HR, 18 RBI)
5. LF James Outman (.250/.333/.482, 5 HR, 12 RBI)
6. C Will Smith (.241/.333/.448, 4 HR, 11 RBI)
7. SS Gavin Lux (.273/.345/.409, 2 HR, 8 RBI)
8. 2B Miguel Rojas (.231/.292/.346, 1 HR, 6 RBI)
9. CF Jason Heyward (.263/.340/.421, 3 HR, 10 RBI)

Miami Marlins

1. CF Jazz Chisholm Jr. (.250/.333/.482, 6 HR, 14 RBI)
2. 2B Luis Arraez (.321/.386/.411, 0 HR, 8 RBI)
3. DH Jesús Sánchez (.244/.311/.488, 5 HR, 12 RBI)
4. 1B Garrett Cooper (.273/.345/.455, 4 HR, 15 RBI)
5. RF Bryan De La Cruz (.286/.333/.464, 3 HR, 10 RBI)
6. LF Jesús Aguilar (.222/.286/.407, 3 HR, 8 RBI)
7. 3B Jon Berti (.250/.333/.375, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 8 SB)
8. C Nick Fortes (.200/.286/.350, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
9. SS Tim Anderson (.235/.275/.324, 1 HR, 4 RBI)

Key Storylines to Watch

1. Can the Marlins Solve Glasnow?

Miami’s lineup has struggled against high-velocity right-handers this season, batting just .218 with a 28.6% strikeout rate against RHP. Glasnow’s fastball (96.8 mph average velocity) and slider (88.2 mph) have been nearly unhittable, but the Marlins’ lefty-heavy lineup (Arraez, Sánchez, Aguilar) could exploit his platoon splits. Glasnow has allowed a .722 OPS to left-handed batters this year, compared to .489 against righties. If Luis Arraez (.350 career BA vs. RHP) can set the table, Miami’s power bats (Sánchez, Cooper) could make this a short night for Glasnow.

2. Luzardo vs. The Dodgers’ Righty Mashers

Los Angeles’ right-handed hitters—Freddie Freeman (.350/.450/.650 vs. LHP in 2026), Max Muncy (1.030 OPS vs. LHP), and James Outman (.300/.385/.600 vs. LHP)—have feasted on left-handed pitching. Luzardo’s changeup will be critical to neutralizing this group, but his fastball command (4.8 BB/9 in April) could be tested. If the Dodgers jump on him early, Marlins manager Skip Schumaker may have to head to his bullpen sooner than expected.

3. Bullpen Usage and Late-Game Matchups

The Dodgers’ bullpen has been shaky of late, with Evan Phillips (5.40 ERA in April) and Daniel Hudson (6.75 ERA) struggling in high-leverage spots. Miami’s Tanner Scott (1.59 ERA, 12 SV) and Anthony Bender (2.25 ERA) have been lights-out in the ninth inning, but the Marlins’ offense will need to grant them something to protect. If the game is tied in the seventh inning or later, expect both managers to deploy their best arms—Joe Kelly (Dodgers) and Andrew Nardi (Marlins)—to bridge the gap to their closers.

4. The Ohtani Factor

Shohei Ohtani has been the Dodgers’ most consistent hitter in April, and his ability to impact the game in multiple ways—whether with his bat, speed, or arm—makes him a wildcard. In his last 10 games, Ohtani has reached base in all but one, including a three-homer performance against the Colorado Rockies on April 18. If the Marlins fall behind early, Ohtani’s presence in the lineup could force Luzardo to pitch around him, setting up potential RBI opportunities for Freeman and Muncy.

Injury Updates

Dodgers:

• LHP Clayton Kershaw (shoulder inflammation) remains on the 15-day injured list but threw a 30-pitch bullpen session on Sunday. Manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw could return to the rotation as early as May 3 against the Chicago Cubs.
• RHP Walker Buehler (Tommy John recovery) is progressing in his rehab and could make his 2026 debut in mid-May.

Marlins:

• RHP Sandy Alcántara (elbow surgery) is targeting a late-May return, per MLB.com. Alcántara, the 2022 NL Cy Young winner, has been throwing off a mound but has yet to face live hitters.
• OF Jorge Soler (hamstring strain) is day-to-day and could return to the lineup as early as Wednesday. Soler, who leads the Marlins with 8 home runs in 2025, has been sorely missed in the middle of the order.

What’s at Stake Beyond the Scoreboard

For the Dodgers, this series is about maintaining their early-season momentum. After a gradual start (5-6 in their first 11 games), Los Angeles has gone 13-3 in their last 16, including series wins over the New York Mets and Giants. A sweep of the Marlins would send a message to the rest of the NL that the Dodgers are still the team to beat.

For Miami, a win tonight would snap their recent skid and maintain them within striking distance of the Braves in the wild-card race. The Marlins’ pitching staff has been their saving grace, but their offense needs to show up against elite arms like Glasnow. A strong showing in this series could also boost confidence ahead of their upcoming homestand against the Washington Nationals and New York Mets.

How to Follow the Game

• TV: SportsNet LA (Dodgers), Bally Sports Florida (Marlins), MLB.TV
• Radio: 570 AM KLAC (Dodgers), 940 AM WINZ (Marlins)
• Live Updates: MLB Gameday, ESPN
• Weather: Clear skies, 68°F (20°C) at first pitch, with winds at 8 mph from the west. No weather delays expected.

Key Takeaways

• Pitching Matchup: Glasnow vs. Luzardo is a battle of two of the NL’s best young arms. Glasnow’s slider and Luzardo’s changeup will be the pitches to watch.
• Offensive X-Factors: Can Miami’s lefties (Arraez, Sánchez) solve Glasnow? Can the Dodgers’ right-handed hitters (Freeman, Muncy) exploit Luzardo’s fastball command?
• Bullpen Watch: Both teams have questions in the late innings. The Dodgers’ bullpen has been shaky, while the Marlins’ offense has struggled to provide leads for their dominant closers.
• Standings Impact: A Dodgers win extends their division lead; a Marlins win keeps them in the wild-card hunt.
• Injury Returns: Soler (Marlins) and Kershaw (Dodgers) could return soon, adding firepower to both rosters.

What’s Next?

The Marlins and Dodgers wrap up their three-game series on Wednesday, April 29, with first pitch at 7:10 p.m. PT. The probable pitchers for that game are RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers) and RHP Edward Cabrera (Marlins). After this series, the Dodgers head to Chicago for a four-game set against the Cubs, while the Marlins return home to host the Nationals.

Will the Dodgers continue their surge, or can the Marlins’ pitching staff cool off Los Angeles’ red-hot offense? Tune in tonight to find out.

What’s your prediction for tonight’s game? Share your thoughts in the comments below or tag us on Twitter with #MarlinsvsDodgers.