The chance of the Los Angeles Dodgers catching the Washington Nationals in the standings for home-field advantage in the National League Division Series are becoming slimmer by the day. Washington’s magic number to secure homefield is two when the Dodgers begin play Thursday night.
After having their five-game winning streak snapped, Los Angeles enters the series finale against the San Diego Padres needing a win to avoid being swept at Petco Park. Julio Urias takes the mound in a break from plan that had him in the bullpen for the remainder of the regular season.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Urias will be on the NLDS roster, though the rookie manager isn’t certain under what role.
The 20-year-old left-hander appears to have the inside track on being named the fourth starter come the postseason. In 17 games (14 starts) this season, Urias is 5-2 with a 3.53 ERA, 3.22 FIP and 1.47 WHIP.
He has made just one relief appearance since Sept. 13, which also factored into the decision to give him a spot start. Since the All-Star break, Urias is 4-0 with a 2.15 ERA while striking out 35 and walking 12 in 37.2 innings. Thursday is his first career start against the Padres.
The Padres also send a lefty to the mound in Christian Friedrich. The 29-year-old is 5-11 with a 4.66 ERA, 4.23 FIP and 1.42 WHIP in 23 games (22 starts) this season. He has not faired well against Los Angeles this year, going 0-1 with a 6.39 ERA in three starts.
Friedrich is 3-5 with a 4.47 ERA over 10 home starts. Howie Kendrick is a career 6-for-14 off the southpaw. Yasiel Puig 2-for-5 with one home run, and Carlos Ruiz is 3-for-4 with two doubles. All three players are in the Dodgers’ lineup.
For Kendrick, it’s just the 10th time he starts at first base. Adrian Gonzalez, who is battling a sinus infection and been a stalwart throughout the season, was removed early in each of the past two games.
This is just Kendrick’s 10th game starting at first base this season as Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gives Adrian Gonzalez a rare off day. That can be expected in the last few games of the season as NLDS home-field advantage hopes dwindle.
Padres right fielder Hunter Renfroe bats fifth Thursday. The rookie is 4-for-8 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in the first two games of the series.
Dodgers lineup:
1B: Howie Kendrick
SS: Charlie Culberson
3B: Justin Turner
RF: Yasiel Puig
C: Carlos Ruiz
2B: Kike Hernandez
LF: Rob Segedin
CF: Joc Pederson
P: Julio Urias
Padres lineup:
CF: Manuel Margot
LF: Jon Jay
1B: Will Myers
3B: Yangervis Solarte
RF: Hunter Renfroe
C: Derek Norris
2B: Carlos Asuaje
SS: Luis Sardinas
P: Christian Friedrich
