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Dodgers-Marlins Preview

Apr 9, 2010 - 5:10 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Los Angeles (0-2) at Florida (1-1), 7:10 p.m. EDT

The Florida Marlins used a strong start at home to become a surprise contender in the NL East last year. A sluggish finish to their home schedule, however, may have cost them a chance at a playoff spot.

Fresh off winning a season-opening series on the road, the Marlins will try to carry that momentum into their home opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night.

Florida (2-1) began 2009 by winning four in a row at home and five of six. However, they followed that up by dropping 13 of 16 before finishing 43-38 in Miami after enduring a 7-10 stretch. That inconsistent play at home played a big role in the Marlins finishing five games behind Colorado in the wild-card race and six back of division-winning Philadelphia.

The Marlins, though, are looking to duplicate last year's early success after taking a season-opening three-game series on the road from the Mets with Thursday's 3-1 win. Three Florida pitchers scattered seven hits with no walks after four relievers gave up three runs in 3 1-3 innings of a 7-6, 10-inning victory Wednesday.

"I'll take this game at any time," manager Fredi Gonzalez said Thursday. "This is what we're looking for. No walks for the pitchers, three guys going in, throwing strikes, they did a terrific job."

The Marlins will turn to Chris Volstad, who is looking to rebound from a rough season, going 9-13 with a 5.21 ERA while serving up a team-high 29 homers. The 23-year-old right-hander finished 2009 by losing four consecutive starts with a 12.08 ERA, getting pulled before the fifth inning each time.

"I'm definitely feeling good right now," Volstad told the team's official Web site. "The way I threw the last three games of spring training and seeing that the work I've put in between starts is paying off is encouraging. Everything has been getting progressively better."

He's 2-1 with a 4.05 ERA in three starts against Los Angeles (1-2). The lone loss, however, came at home May 15, as he gave up four runs and seven hits in six innings of a 6-4 defeat.

The Marlins and Dodgers split six meetings last season.

Los Angeles is trying to build on its first win of 2010. Ronnie Belliard had four RBIs and was a single short of the cycle in Thursday's 10-2 win at Pittsburgh.

Belliard started in place of Casey Blake at third base, and is expected to provide depth to the infield after losing the job at second to Blake DeWitt. However, Belliard may get more playing time if he continues to produce.

"I'm not going to play every day, I'm going to come from the bench and sometimes when they need to give the guys off they're going to put me out there," said Belliard. "I'm going to keep working and keep myself strong to help the ballclub."

The Dodgers are expected to be without Andre Ethier for a second consecutive game due to a left ankle injury suffered in Wednesday's 4-3 loss. The right fielder is scheduled to return Saturday.

Hiroki Kuroda is looking to rebound from an injury-plagued 2009. The right-hander went 8-7 with a 3.76 ERA in 21 games last season, struggling with various injuries, including a concussion from getting hit in the head with a line drive in August.

After returning from the disabled list, he was 3-2 with a 2.79 ERA in his final five starts. However, a back injury limited him to one playoff game.

Kuroda is 0-0 with a 3.66 ERA in three starts against Florida.