Max Muncy returns to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup as they look to take the finale of a wraparound series against the San Diego Padres on Monday afternoon. The Dodgers enter play having won two of the first three games at Petco Park.
Muncy is back after being limited to pinch-running the past three games because of a left wrist contusion. He was hit by a pitch in the series finale against the Oakland Athletics and dealt with lingering discomfort. X-rays and subsequent testing cleared Muncy of a potential fracture in his wrist.
As for matters on the mound, Tony Gonsolin looks to help the Dodgers secure a series win. If not for the bullpen imploding in the eighth inning on Saturday, Gonsolin and the Dodgers would be looking to finish off a sweep.
Gonsolin enters with a 6-4 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.15 WHIP this season. In his last start against the Oakland Athletics, he threw five innings of one-run ball, collecting three strikeouts. The lowly A’s were a balm for Gonsolin, who has struggled as of late, carrying a 5.86 ERA over his last seven starts.
Gonsolin’s numbers across the board are down compared to his 2022 All-Star season. The start against the A’s and a potential shutdown of the Padres could be what picks up Gonsolin’s confidence.
The Padres counter with Seth Lugo, who is 4-5 with a 3.54 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. The former New York Mets starter has been consistent this season, with his only bad game over the last five being an outing against the Philadelphia Phillies when he gave up five runs in five innings.
Lugo relies on a balance of his curveball and four-seam fastball, both of which he throws 33.3% of the time. He also mixes in a sinker and slider, with a rarely-used changeup. Lugo has walked only 1.9 batters per nine innings this season, his lowest mark since 2019.
Jason Heyward is among the several left-handed hitters in the Dodgers lineup for the finale. Mookie Betts enters with a 13-game hitting streak.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
DH: Max Muncy
LF: David Peralta
RF: Jason Heyward
3B: Kiké Hernández
CF: James Outman
SS: Miguel Rojas
Padres lineup
3B: Ha-Seong Kim
RF: Fernando Tatis Jr.
LF: Juan Soto
DH: Manny Machado
SS: Xander Bogaerts
2B: Jake Cronenworth
1B: Ji Man Choi
C: Luis Campusano
CF: Trent Grisham
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
