For the second time in as many series against the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Dodgers need a win to avoid being swept in the three-game set. The Dodgers have suffered consecutive walk-off losses and enter play 4.5 games back of the San Francisco Giants for first place in the National League West.
What’s more, the Dodgers are 4-6 in their last 10 games and are mired in a four-game losing streak. For the first time in his young career with the Dodgers, Kenta Maeda faces an opponent a second time this season.
Maeda threw six shutout innings against the Padres at Petco Park in his Major League debut on April 6. On top of earning the first win of his career, Maeda also hit a solo home run in the Dodgers’ victory.
In eight starts this season, Maeda is 3-3 with a 2.87 ERA, 3.64 FIP and 1.09 WHIP. Opponents are batting .214 against the Japanese native, who has struggled in his past four starts. In those games, Maeda is 0-3 with a 5.82 ERA, allowing four runs in three of the four starts.
Maeda is coming off the shortest start of his career — four innings pitched against the New York Mets. He’s taking the mound on an extra day of rest as the Dodgers utilized Mike Bolsinger as a spot-starter.
The Padres counter with right-hander Colin Rea, who appears in his 10th game (ninth start) this season. Rea suffered a loss in his last outing, allowing three runs on four hits over five innings of work against the Giants.
For his career, Rea has made three appearances against the Dodgers. One was a relief appearance this season, and another a start at Dodger Stadium on April 30. He allowed four hits and two runs in six innings pitched en route to a win.
Chase Utley is 2-for-6 against Rea, with a home run, double and three RBIs. Joc Pederson is 2-for-5 with a double and one RBI.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Howie Kendrick
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
LF: Trayce Thompson
CF: Joc Pederson
RF: Yasiel Puig
C: A.J. Ellis
P: Kenta Maeda
Padres lineup:
CF: Jon Jay
1B: Wil Myers
RF: Matt Kemp
2B: Yangervis Solarte
LF: Melvin Upton Jr.
3B: Brett Wallace
C: Christian Bethancourt
SS: Alexi Amarista
P: Colin Rea
