After going 4-2 on their homestand, the Los Angeles Dodgers begin a nine-game road trip, with their first stop at Petco Park for a three-game series against the San Diego Padres.
The Dodgers enter play with an MLB-best 94-42 record and a magic number of six to clinch the National League West. The Padres, at 76-62, currently hold one of the three Wild Card spots. Rain in the forecast could prove to be challenging with playing Friday’s game.
The Dodgers have gone 10-3 against the Padres this season, including a 2-1 showing on the road. L.A. and San Diego will play three more times at Petco Park from Sept. 27-29 in what marks their final series of the regular season.
Dustin May gets the nod in the opener and looks for redemption after a rough start against the Padres on Sept. 2. The right-hander allowed six runs on four hits and struck out five batters over five innings of work.
“It’s a good lesson,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game. “He’s going to see these guys again, I think his next turn. When you’re facing good hitters up and down the lineup, you’ve got to sequence well and command the baseball.”
May owns a 1-2 record with a 3.94 ERA, 4.55 FIP and 1.06 WHIP in three MLB starts this season. The 25-year-old is 1-4 with a 3.70 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in nine career games against the Padres (six starts).
San Diego counters with Mike Clevinger, who is also looking to bounce back after a poor start against the Dodgers. He was tabbed with a loss after giving up five runs and four hits in 3.1 innings pitched.
Clevinger brings with him a 5-6 record, 3.96 ERA, 4.46 FIP and 1.18 WHIP in 88.2 innings this season (18 games, 17 starts). The 31-year-old is 0-2 with an 11.25 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in two career starts against the Dodgers, both of which have come this year.
Joey Gallo is in the Dodgers lineup two days after being hit by a pitch in his right elbow. Gallo felt tingling in his hands but an X-ray on his elbow came back negative. Meanwhile, Gavin Lux doesn’t start once again as he continues to recover from a neck issue.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Trea Turner
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Justin Turner
DH: Joey Gallo
LF: Trayce Thompson
2B: Chris Taylor
CF: Cody Bellinger
Padres lineup
LF: Jurickson Profar
RF: Juan Soto
3B: Manny Machado
DH: Josh Bell
2B: Jake Cronenworth
SS: Ha-Seong Kim
1B: Wil Myers
CF: Trent Grisham
C: Jorge Alfaro
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