For the fifth time this season, the Los Angeles Dodgers have lost three consecutive games, but they can avoid tying their season-long losing streak against the San Diego Padres on Saturday.
The Dodgers’ longest losing streak came when they dropped four straight from May 11-14. Prior to the current streak, they last lost three in a row from June 10-12.
So even though it may feel like the sky is falling, the Dodgers have dealt with these short losing streaks before and they still own a six-game lead over the New York Mets for the best record in the National League.
Julio Urías is on the mound for L.A. looking to continue his dominant run. The left-hander posted a 0.90 ERA over five starts in August, but in his last start, he walked four batters, which left him upset with an overall strong outing.
Over 25 starts, the southpaw has pitched to a 2.32 ERA, 3.51 FIP and 0.95 WHIP with 8.83 strikeouts per nine to only two walks per nine in 139.2 innings.
Urías last faced the Padres in San Diego on April 22 when he gave up one run across five innings while giving up two hits, striking out six and walking three.
The Padres counter with Sean Manaea, who has struggled in his first season with San Diego.
The left-hander has pitched to a 4.90 ERA and 4.37 FIP across 24 starts while striking out 9.13 hitters per nine, walking 3.02 per nine and posting a 1.33 WHIP in 134 innings. He has also been prone to giving up home runs, allowing 1.54 per nine innings and 23 on the year.
He faced L.A. twice this season and took the loss in both outings. In his 8.1 innings pitched against the Dodgers, Manaea has allowed 15 runs (14 earned) on 16 hits, giving him a 15.12 ERA.
Trea Turner returns to the Dodgers lineup after getting the day off on Friday and top prospect Miguel Vargas gets his first start in left field.
It’s the third career start for Vargas, who went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in his MLB debut on Aug. 3 and hitless in his four at-bats two days later.
Mookie Betts is starting at second base, and Trayce Thompson is manning right field. Betts is playing second base for a fifth time this season and making his third start at the position.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Mookie Betts
SS: Trea Turner
1B: Freddie Freeman
DH: Will Smith
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Chris Taylor
RF: Trayce Thompson
LF: Miguel Vargas
C: Austin Barnes
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