The high-powered Dodgers offense had a very good weekend at home, scoring a total of 26 runs, and they didn’t score less than six runs in any one game. Even though the beginning of Saturday’s game looked as though it may be bad, even possibly a no-hitter, the offense battled back to score six runs. Invariably. that was not enough to win the game. However, the Dodgers still took three of four from the struggling Marlins.

And taking those three game feels so sweet, after what happened in last year’s games with Miami, where the Marlins swept the Dodgers in the four game series, and took six of seven overall. Perhaps the most to most Dodgers fans, was the reaction of Don Mattingly after the Marlins lost 7-2. During the game, Cody Bellinger took Marlin’s pitcher A.J. Ramos deep. Ramos plunked Brett Eibner in the ribs on the next pitch. Both sides started chirping at each other. In the top of the ninth, Ross Stripling threw behind Giancarlo Stanton. Stripling was tossed from the game, and both benches cleared. Mattingly and Bob Geren were especially heated with each other.

After the game, Mattingly went on a mini-rant about the unwritten rules of the game, how he was mad Seager had swung at a 3-0 pitch up by five runs. It reinsured Dodger fans thoughts of being much happier with the current manager in Dave Roberts. It’s got to be tough to see the team you used to manage doing so well, while the team you are managing is mired in last place in a subpar division. Still, the comments just seemed petty.

If you missed it, the Dodgers had a nice to tribute to A.J. Ellis in his return to Dodgers Stadium.

His sudden departure last season left a lot of people missing him, including Clayton Kershaw. Here’s to hoping A.J. can return to the Dodgers in some capacity down the line. He’d be an incredible coach.

The loss of Justin Turner after Thursday’s game was tough to swallow, but Adrian Gonzalez stepped up to take his place. The now healthy veteran is looking like himself again, hitting doubles with ease. Sunday saw him go 3-4 with two doubles and three RBI. The Dodgers will need him to continue this hot hitting through the length of Justin Turner‘s DL stint.

Aside from Julio Urias‘s forgettable outing on Saturday, the Dodgers starting pitchers pitched well over the weekend.  Hyun-Jin Ryu, Alex Wood and Brandon McCarthy all had strong outings. Wood did not allow any runs, and moved to 5-0 on the season with a 1.88 ERA.  Not bad for a guy who started his year in the bullpen. Ryu and McCarthy both looking good after their recent stints on the DL.

The offense did look good this past weekend, but a bigger challenge is facing them. After the off day on Monday, the Dodgers will face two very good teams in the Cardinals and the Cubs. The Cardinals are 1.5 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers for first in the tight NL Central. While they seem to be on a little bit of a World Series hangover, the Cubs are only two games back.  The Dodgers face the the Cardinals in six of their next nine games.

Tuesday they will face Lance Lynn, who is 4-2 with a 2.78ERA. while Kershaw takes the mound for Los Angeles. Wednesday will be Mike Leake, 4-2 with a 2.03 ERA and 0.99 WHIP, facing Rich Hill, and Thursday will see Michael Wacha, 2-1 with a 2.74 ERA against Kenta Maeda. All Cardinal pitchers are right-handed.

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