The San Diego Padres snapped the Los Angeles Dodgers’ nine-game home winning streak at Dodger Stadium on Friday night, and look to build momentum off that win on Saturday behind fan-favorite pitcher Chris Paddack.
Paddack last pitched in Chavez Ravine on May 14. The rookie right-hander with a brash personality and “Sheriff” nickname entered with a 1.55 ERA, but promptly gave up six runs (three earned) to the Dodgers in just 4.2 innings of work.
The Dodgers would go on to win that game 6-3 behind seven strong innings from Clayton Kershaw. Since then, Paddack has a 4.60 ERA. Overall in 14 starts this season, Paddack is 5-4 with a 3.05 ERA, 3.95 FIP and 0.94 WHIP with 81 strikeouts and 17 walks in 76.2 innings.
Kenta Maeda starts for the Dodgers, looking to continue his success at home in 2019. Maeda has a 3.75 ERA on the season, but just a 2.05 ERA at Dodger Stadium. He comes in with a 7-4 record to go along with a 4.07 FIP and 1.10 WHIP, striking out 88 and walking 30 in 88 innings.
In two starts against the Padres this season, Maeda has allowed four runs on six hits in 12.2 total innings.
This weekend presents the last few days for depth pieces like Kyle Garlick, Edwin Rios and perhaps Matt Beaty on the big league roster. All three rookies have contributed somewhat, but Beaty has hit his way into regular playing time, developing a solid contact approach in the Major Leagues.
Beaty starts again for the Dodgers Saturday, this time in left field. He has a .279/.299/.404 slashline with two home runs and 17 RBI in 36 games.
The Dodgers will face a tough roster choice with him, though, as Corey Seager, David Freese and A.J. Pollock all expect to be activated from the injured list after the All-Star break.
Joc Pederson returns to first base after sitting on Friday with the Dodgers facing a left-hander. Pederson will likely comprise a platoon at first with Freese after the All-Star break, with Pollock and Alex Verdugo seeing the majority of the time in the outfield.
Chris Taylor, meanwhile, makes another start at shortstop, where he has filled in since Seager went down with a hamstring strain last month. Since then, Taylor has caught fire at the plate, hitting .389/.447/.667 over his past 22 games.
With Taylor hitting the way he has been, he figures to become the primary starter at second base once Seager returns–or at least split time there with newly crowned All-Star Max Muncy.
Dodgers lineup:
1B: Joc Pederson
CF: Alex Verdugo
3B: Justin Turner
RF: Cody Bellinger
2B: Max Muncy
LF: Matt Beaty
SS: Chris Taylor
C: Russell Martin
P: Kenta Maeda
Padres lineup:
SS: Fernando Tatis Jr.
1B: Eric Hosmer
3B: Manny Machado
LF: Hunter Renfroe
C: Francisco Mejia
RF: Josh Naylor
2B: Greg Garcia
P: Eric Lauer
CF: Manuel Margot
