With the 2017 All-Star Festivities Wrapped Up, Dodgers Look Towards Marlins

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(Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports)

While many baseball fans around the globe tuned into the 2017 MLB All-Star Game expecting an offensively dominant showcase of fireworks, the almost complete opposite occurred — a display of superior pitching with a few timely hits sprinkled in along the way.

The clincher was a solo home run into the right field stands off the bat of Robinson Cano in the tenth inning, which sealed the 2-1 victory for the American League, who now have won five straight years in a row. Cano was later named the game’s MVP.

There were a total of 17 hits between both sides, yet only three went for extra bases — a double by Jonathan Schoop off Dodgers‘ lefty Alex Wood in the fifth, a long ball from Yadier Molina in the sixth, and the game-winner by Cano in the first frame of extras. Pitchers from both sides combined to strike out a whopping 23 batters.

Wood completed one full inning, allowing two hits and one earned run. Miguel Sano‘s single off Wood scored Schoop to give the American League an early 1-0 lead. With the game tied at one apiece, Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth for the National League, and struck out the side after allowing Yonder Alonso to advance to third base via a stolen base and a balk.

Dodger hitters didn’t have much luck at the plate on Tuesday night, as Justin Turner went 0-for-1, Corey Seager 0-for-2, and rookie sensation Cody Bellinger ended up 0-for-3. Bellinger was struck out by reliever Andrew Miller on four pitches for the final out of the contest.

Looking ahead, the remainder of the squad will join the Dodgers’ All-Stars in Miami this weekend, as Los Angeles begins a three-game set against the Marlins on Friday evening. While the Dodgers are sporting baseball’s best record at 61-29, the Marlins are sitting in third place in the NL East with a 41-46 record. Miami is surprisingly ranked third in the National League in hitting — four spots ahead of the Dodgers — but rank right in the middle of the pack in overall pitching, while Los Angeles is dominating the entire league.

As far as the starting rotation goes after the break, the Dodgers will go with righty Brandon McCarthy on Friday, Wood on Saturday, followed by veteran southpaw Rich Hill in the finale on Sunday. Management appears to be setting up resident ace Clayton Kershaw to throw on July 18 in Chicago against the White Sox — in essence, allowing Kersh a full nine days of rest.

Friday’s first pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m. Eastern time, 4:10 p.m. Pacific.

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