Al DeMarco Friday's Play 5 Dime - Los Angeles Dodgers

At first glance. the 1-4 skid Los Angeles encountered immediately following the Manny Ramirez suspension could be attributed to the slugger's absence in the lineup. But in reality, it had more to do with a mini-collapse of the team's pitching staff. The offense produced five or more runs in three of those five contests, but the pitchers allowed at least five runs in three of them as well. Now it appears the Dodgers have righted their ship again after closing out their series at Philadelphia with a 9-2 rout Wednesday and 5-3 extra-inning triumph Thursday.

Since Manny's banishment, LA is batting .314, scoring 40 runs in seven games, carrying a streak of five straight games of at least 11 hits into tonight's contest at Florida.

The Marlins have been a feast or famine team this season. They broke out of the gate by winning 11 of 12, but have since gone 6-17, a stretch in which they've collectively batted .221. And the pitching staff, thought to be the strength of the team, has contributed mightily to the free fall, compiling a 5.17 ERA during the past 23 games, which includes four straight losses overall and a 1-6 mark in their last seven at home.

Los Angeles pitcher Eric Stults is coming off a four-hit shutout of the Giants in his last outing, his second straight win as he beat the Diamondbacks in his previous start.

Florida hurler Chris Volstad has pitched well, allowing three earned runs or less in five straight starts, but he's been repeatedly victimized by a lack of offensive support as the Marlins have dropped three of his last four outings, including two in a row.

With the Dodgers hitting the ball soundly, and Florida slumping at the plate and plagued by an inconsistent bullpen all season, Los Angeles is well worth the investment as the road dog.