After opening the National League Division Series with a win, the Los Angeles Dodgers can now push the San Diego Padres to the brink of elimination in Game 2. The Dodgers enter play at Globe Life Field as one of two teams still undefeated this postseason.
The Atlanta Braves won Game 2 of their NLDS matchup Wednesday afternoon, and the Houston Astros also were perfect in the playoffs but lost Game 3 to the Oakland Athletics in the American League Division Series. Ironically, that is being played at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers for now have made their home in Dallas, where the NL Championship Series and World Series will be played as well. “Yeah, this whole thing is weird,” Clayton Kershaw said.
“It’s definitely different to be in Dallas and have to stay in a hotel and things like that. But at the end of the day, both teams are having to deal with it. I’m not the only one with family in town. It’s even more reason to make it to the next round so people can come and watch.”
On the mound, Kershaw is looking to continue momentum from a dominant start in the Wild Card Series. He scattered three hits over eight innings and set a postseason career high with 11 strikeouts to help the Dodgers sweep the Milwaukee Brewers.
During the regular season Kershaw suffered a loss in his lone start against the Padres. His final line read with three runs allowed over 6.1 innings, but the left-handed pitched much better than that and was hurt by sloppy defense and Pedro Baez allowing inherited runners to score.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not name a Game 3 starter and said all options are available back of Kershaw; though, Roberts said the chances of Dustin May pitching in a back-to-back scenario was “very, very small.”
The Padres counter with Zach Davies as they hope to receive some length that will help cover a bullpen that’s shouldered a significant workload thus far in the postseason. Davis went 0-2 with a 3.46 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers this year.
The Padres removed Mike Clevinger from their NLDS roster, adding relief pitcher Dan Altavilla. Clevinger had hoped to pitch again in the NLDS after leaving his Game 1 start in the second inning due to injury. He’s now ineligible for the NL Championship Series, if San Diego advances.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Max Muncy
DH: Will Smith
CF: Cody Bellinger
2B: Chris Taylor
LF: AJ Pollock
C: Austin Barnes
Padres lineup
SS: Fernando Tatis Jr.
3B: Manny Machado
1B: Eric Hosmer
DH: Tommy Pham
RF: Wil Myers
2B: Jake Cronenworth
LF: Jurickson Profar
C: Austin Nola
CF: Trent Grisham
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