The Los Angeles Dodgers broke out of their slump on Tuesday night, scoring nine runs and defeating the San Diego Padres to even their three-game series at Petco Park at a game apiece.
The Dodgers now send Kenta Maeda to the mound as they go for the series victory over their division rivals. In 26 games (25 starts) this season, Maeda comes in with an 8-8 record to go along with a 4.13 ERA, 3.95 FIP and 1.11 WHIP.
After going through some struggles, Maeda has regained his form a bit in his last three starts, posting a 2.55 ERA with 24 strikeouts and five walks in 17.2 innings.
He has had mixed results against the Padres in his career though. In 17 games (15 starts) against them, Maeda is 6-4 with a 4.48 ERA and 1.06 WHIP.
Not many Padres hitters have had success against Maeda at the plate, but one who he needs to be careful with is Hunter Renfroe. He not only leads the Padres with 31 home runs on the season, but the outfielder is also 6-for-20 (.300 batting average) with a pair of home runs against Maeda.
The Padres are countering with reliever Trey Wingenter, who is making his first career Major League start in what is expected to be a bullpen game for San Diego.
Wingenter has pitched to a 4.60 ERA, 3.65 FIP and 1.20 WHIP with 63 strikeouts and 24 walks in 45 innings across 46 appearances this season. The right-hander has made seven appearances against the Dodgers in his career, allowing seven hits and four runs in 5.2 innings, good for a 6.35 ERA.
The hottest Dodger at the moment is Corey Seager as he comes in with 12 extra-base hits (nine doubles and three home runs) in his last 14 games while slashing .327/.362/.655 over that span.
Justin Turner is back in the lineup after receiving a scheduled night off. Turner is awaiting a resolution on his appeal of a one-game suspension.
Before Tuesday’s offense outburst, the Dodgers had scored three runs or less in a season-high six straight games. So they look to continue to get out of that skid with a second strong performance in a row.
Dodgers lineup:
CF: A.J. Pollock
2B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Cody Bellinger
LF: Chris Taylor
SS: Corey Seager
RF: Kiké Hernandez
C: Russell Martin
P: Kenta Maeda
Padres lineup:
2B: Greg Garcia
LF: Josh Naylor
3B: Manny Machado
1B: Eric Homser
RF: Hunter Renfroe
CF: Manuel Margot
SS: Luis Urias
C: Austin Hedges
P: Trey Wingenter
