The Los Angeles Dodgers return to UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, July 28, to host the Seattle Mariners in a 10:10 p.m. ET first pitch. Seattle sends veteran right-hander Luis Castillo to the mound, while Los Angeles has not yet announced a starter. With a loaded lineup top to bottom, the Dodgers will look to make Castillo work early and often against one of the American League's more reliable arms.

Pitching Matchup: Luis Castillo vs. TBD

Castillo is the known quantity on the mound Tuesday night. The Mariners right-hander has built a reputation as a frontline starter capable of generating weak contact with a plus changeup and a heavy sinker. Without a confirmed Dodgers starter as of this writing, Los Angeles may be working through a committee or holding back a name for competitive reasons. Either way, the offensive burden on the Dodgers lineup increases when the pitching answer is unclear going into game day.

Dodgers Lineup: Top to Bottom Firepower

Manager Dave Roberts is running out one of the deeper batting orders in baseball. Shohei Ohtani leads off at DH, followed by Andy Pages in center field. Freddie Freeman hits third at first base, with Max Muncy cleaning up at third. Mookie Betts slots in fifth at shortstop, and Tommy Edman follows at second base. Kyle Tucker handles right field from the seven spot, Teoscar Hernández covers left field in the eight hole, and Dalton Rushing catches and bats ninth.

That is a lineup with legitimate run-scoring threats from top to bottom. Castillo will need his best stuff to navigate Ohtani, Freeman, and Betts multiple times through the order. The back end of the lineup — Tucker, Hernández, and Rushing — is not a place to exhale either.

Keys to Watch

• Ohtani vs. Castillo: The leadoff matchup between two of the game's premier players is the marquee at-bat of the night. How Ohtani handles Castillo's changeup early will set the tone.
• Dodgers' starter reveal: Who takes the ball for Los Angeles is the biggest outstanding question. A veteran arm gives the Dodgers a better chance to match Castillo's length.
• Betts at shortstop: Betts continues to hold down shortstop in this lineup configuration, and his defensive range in the middle of the infield remains worth monitoring.
• Rushing behind the plate: The young catcher gets the start, and his game-calling relationship with whoever starts on the mound will matter against a Mariners offense built around contact and patience.

Prediction

Castillo is a legitimate challenge, but this Dodgers lineup has too many professional hitters to be shut down for nine innings. If Los Angeles gets even a serviceable start from their own pitcher, the home run threat from Ohtani, Freeman, Muncy, and Tucker should be enough to carry the night. Look for the Dodgers to grind out a 4-2 win at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium.

Catch the action on SportsNet LA or Dodgers Radio AM570, with Spanish-language coverage on KTNQ 1020.