The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped the first of three against the San Diego Padres, but have a shot to even up the series on Saturday at Petco Park.
A 5-2 loss on Friday was highlighted by four combined hits from the Dodgers’ offense, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. On the mound, Clayton Kershaw, Shelby Miller and Wander Suero yielded a season-high 11 free passes to a Padres offense led by a two-homer night from Fernando Tatis Jr.
The Dodgers hold a half-game lead in the National League West standings over the Arizona Diamondbacks and are up a full game on the Padres.
Dustin May gets the ball Saturday after receiving extra rest since throwing a career-high 104 pitches on April 28. He nevertheless got through five innings against the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing just two runs.
May is 3-1 with a 3.15 ERA, 3.79 FIP and 0.99 WHIP through his first six starts. He’s struggled with command in his last 10.1 innings, walking seven during that span.
In his career against the Padres May is 1-4 with a 3.88 ERA.
The Padres counter with left-hander Blake Snell who enters play with a 1-4 record, 5.28 ERA and 1.76 WHIP. He most recently tossed six innings against the Cincinnati Reds and allowed three runs on eight hits.
Snell and the Dodgers have an odd past, dating back to the 2020 World Series. In nine career starts against them, he’s posted a 2.50 ERA in 39.2 innings, tallying 56 strikeouts.
Trayce Thompson missed the end of the Dodgers homestand due to illness but now is making his first start since April 29. Thompson made pinch-hit appearances in the series finale against the Cardinals and again on Friday night.
Despite his struggles against left-handed pitching, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts continues to provide Thompson with an opportunity to improve those splits.
Roberts is not with the Dodgers on Saturday due to attending his son’s, Cole, graduation from Loyola Marymount University. Dodgers bench coach Danny Lehmann is filling in as manager for the first time in his career.
Max Muncy was removed in the eighth inning of the series opener due to experiencing flu-like symptoms, but as Roberts hoped, he is the designated hitter.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Chris Taylor
DH: Max Muncy
2B: Miguel Vargas
CF: James Outman
LF: Trayce Thompson
SS: Miguel Rojas
Padres lineup
RF: Fernando Tatís Jr.
3B: Manny Machado
LF: Juan Soto
SS: Xander Bogaerts
DH: Matt Carpenter
1B: Jake Cronenworth
2B: Ha-Seong Kim
CF: Trent Grisham
C: Brett Sullivan
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