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The West Coast swing continues, and for the Marlins it couldn’t have started any better.  On Tuesday, the Fish completed the three game sweep of the San Diego Padres bringing them back to two games above the .500 mark at 49-47, 6.5 games back in the NL East, and 3.5 games back in the wild card race.  The series sweep provided a much needed confidence boost after getting swept at home by the Phillies, and if the Marlins plan to continue their winning ways, the offense will have to pick it up.  Since the All-Star break the Marlins are averaging 2.7 runs per game including being shut out twice in that six game span. If the Marlins offense does plan to set fire, it will surely be centered around Vin Scully’s favorite Marlin, Hanley Ramirez.  Ramirez loves Dodger Stadium, how much you ask, in his 9 games at Dodger Stadium he has hit .486, with an OBP of .548, and a OPS of 1.385.  The Marlins have shown in the past that they enjoy playing in the spotlight, in front of the huge crowds away from home, and raising their intensity for a big series.

The Dodgers are another team coming off a series sweep.  The Dodgers hosted a three game set versus the Cincinnati Reds and outscored them 25-10 with the help of Manny Ramirez who launched a pinch hit grand slam into Mannywood.  The Dodgers are owners of Major League Baseball’s best record at 61-34, with a 33-15 record at home.  They don’t hold the best record by chance, the Dodgers lead the National League in batting average (.274), on base percentage (.352), ERA (3.57), and BAA (.232).  The Dodgers have Manny Ramirez listed as probable for the series after being hit by a pitch on Tuesday, but following Wednesday’s grand slam it shows that he’s at least healthy enough to pinch hit.

Let’s take a look at the pitching matchups for the series.  I will now be highlighting what I feel to be “the game” of the series, and  I will go a bit further into detail with some Marlin stats that relate to the game.

7/24/09, 10:10 PM ET

Game of the Series

Josh Johnson, RHP (8-2, 2.74)

Clayton Kershaw, LHP (8-5, 2.95)

This will be the most important game for the Fish in my opinion.  An opening series win against Kershaw will be huge for the teams confidence and send them into games two and three against the Dodgers weaker pitchers.  The Marlins are going to have to start beating good teams in order to make a legitimate run at the wild card, and possibly stay in contention within the division.  The key for the Marlins will be to get Josh Johnson early run support, and to take a patient approach against a Clayton Kershaw who averages 3.1 walks per game.

Marlins:  The Marlins got just two innings out of Josh Johnson due to a rain out against the Phillies.  Johnson has been the Marlins most dependable pitcher all year and the perfect person to kick off the big series.  The big righty has yet to face the Dodgers this year and is 1-1 in three starts with a 7.71 ERA in his career.

Notable Dodgers vs. Johnson

Manny Ramirez- 1 for 2, .500

Russell Martin- 2 for 4, .500

Andre Either- 3 for 7, .429

Dodgers vs. RHP

33-23, 4.9 rpg.

Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw will take the mound for the Dodgers Friday night in what appears to be a pitchers duel.  Kershaw faced the Marlins earlier in the year going seven innings of one hit ball while allowing just one earned run.  The south paw is 5-0 in his last 7 games with a stellar 0.63 ERA, and has yet to allow more than 3 runs since May 17th.  The one struggle for Kershaw this year has been keeping his walks down. He has walked at least four or more batters in 10 of his 19 games started.  The Marlins are not the most patient team at the plate and will have to take a patient approach in order to be successful against Kershaw.

Notable Marlins vs. Kershaw

Hanley Ramirez- 0 for 3, 0.00

Cody Ross- 1 for 1, 2B, 2BB, 1.000

Dan Uggla- 0 for 2, 0.00

Marlins vs. LHP

21-14, 4.7 rpg

7/24/09, 10:10 PM ET

Rick VandenHurk, RHP (1-0, 3.00)

Hiroki Kuroda, RHP (3-5, 4.73)

Marlins: Rick VandenHurk was impressive in his first start back.  VandenHurk was cruising against the Padres until the 5th inning where he allowed back-to-back solo shots, he would go on to pitch six innings and pick up his first win since June 22nd, 2008.  This will be VandenHurk’s first time facing the Dodgers.

Dodgers: Hiroki Kuroda takes the hill for the Dodgers on Saturday.  Kuroda is looking for his first quality start since June 28th, and during that time frame he has allowed at least three earned runs in each of his games.  If the Marlins can take game one from the Dodgers, Kuroda would be a great pitcher to jump on for a series win.

7/26/09, 4:10 PM ET

Chris Volstad, RHP (7-9, 4.34)

Jason Schmidt, RHP (1-0, 5.40)

Marlins: Volstad was finally able to beat his biggest nemesis on Tuesday, the home run.  Volstad pitched seven strong innings giving up one run on four hits.  It has been an impressive West Coast swing for Volstad, beating the Giants and Padres, but he will need to fight off the home run ball against a power hitting offense in the Dodgers to  remain perfect out west.  Volstad faced the Dodgers in May giving up four earned runs on two home runs.

Dodgers: The Dodgers will hand the ball to Jason Schmidt, yes, that Jason Schmidt.  Schmidt made his first appearance since 2007 last week and, as expected, struggled in his first inning back.  The former All-Star gave up three earned runs all in the first, but settled down to go five innings and pick up the win.  Schmidt no longer throws in 90’s and controls games like he once did, but as the fifth starter the Dodgers are hoping he can hold his own while the offense does the rest.