The NL West leading Los Angeles Dodgers look to gain some much-needed momentum heading into the postseason as they close a three-game set against the red-hot Miami Marlins with the finale on Wednesday evening inside loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. They toss out the first pitch at 6:40 pm. Miami has won six straight games overall. The Dodgers are -125 in Thursday's clash. 

The Dodgers (84-54) have been one of the best teams in the National League and they have easily asserted themselves in their own division as they are running away with the crown. They have a huge lead over second place Arizona and do not look to be tested by the Diamondbacks as the season comes to a close. They have, though, dropped two straight. 

They also have one of the best offenses in the majors, led by perennial NL MVP candidate in right fielder Mookies Betts, who has crushed 38 home runs to go along with driven in 99 runs They have a very tough lineup that is hard to get out as most of their hitters are extremely patient at the plate and they know how to get on base and manufacture runs. 

Los Angeles will toss out right-hander Ryan Pepiot who sports a record of 1-0 to go along with an ERA of 1.29 on the season. He is coming off a very solid start his last time out as he tossed five innings of two-hit ball while allowing no runs in a 7-0 win over Arizona. 

The Marlins (72-67) are playing looking to solidify their playoff spot as they are hoping to clinch one of the NL Wild Card spots. They are trailing the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs and need to win some tough series down the stretch to see October baseball. 

They are not a very consistent team but they have shown that they have a solid fighting spirit and if they clinch a spot they could surprise some people. Their offense is not very potent but they do find a way to win ugly low scoring games and they are led by DH Jorge Soler who has cracked 35 home runs and has proven to come up clutch when they need him the most. 

As a team, the Marlins are batting .260 on the season. 

They will toss out 26-year-old Brandon Garrett who sports a solid mark of 8-5 to go along with an ERA of 3.86. He is 1-2 over his last three starts, but did manage a win his last time out as he surrendered one run on three hits in six innings of work in a 6-1 win over the Washington Nationals. 

The Marlins are 5-0 in their last five games and 5-0 in their last five games against the spread. They are also 34-34 in their road games against the number and the totals have gone over in four of their last five games and 31 of their last 70 games at home. The Dodgers are 1-4 in their last five games and 2-3 in their last five games and the Dodgers are 35-30 in their road games against the spread. The totals have gone over in three of their last five games and 35 of their last 71 games at home,