After dropping the first two contests of the series, the Los Angeles Dodgers bounced back with a 6-0 win against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. L.A. now looks to come away with a split and avoid their first series loss of the 2020 season.
Julio Urias, who was originally expected to start in Wednesday’s contest, takes the mound on an extra day of rest. “Right now, trying to appreciate we’ve got 17 in a row, a short Summer Camp, and we want to make sure we really take care of the starters and pitchers in general,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained of the decision to give Tony Gonsolin a spot start.
“Right now, to give them the extra day over a few turns, I think makes sense for everybody. We can kind of push them a little bit more when we get into September. The way Tony threw and it’s not just a Julio thing, it’s a good thing for all of our starters.”
Gonsolin was effective in his outing, tossing 4.2 scoreless innings. Urias hopes to replicate that success. He enters with a 1-0 record, 2.40 ERA, 2.93 FIP and 1.27 WHIP in 15 innings pitched (three starts).
The left-hander has historically kept the Padres in check, compiling a 1.76 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 22 strikeouts across 15.1 career innings (seven appearances, two starts).
San Diego counters with Chris Paddack, who has gotten off to a strong start this season. He is 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA, 3.91 FIP and 1.02 WHIP in 22.2 innings thus far (four games).
Paddack previously faced the Dodgers on Aug. 3 at Petco Park, allowing three runs on five hits with five strikeouts in six innings of work. In four career starts against L.A., he owns a 1-1 record, 5.31 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 20.1 frames.
Austin Barnes returns to the lineup and could be in line for extended playing time after Will Smith re-aggravated his sore neck fielding a bunt in Wednesday’s contest. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts previously noted Barnes will start in two of the three upcoming contests against the L.A. Angels this weekend.
Meanwhile, Corey Seager returns to the lineup after missing five consecutive games due to lower back trouble. Mookie Betts is also leading off, which isn’t necessarily surprising, but only that it comes against a right-hander.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
DH: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Cody Bellinger
CF: AJ Pollock
2B: Max Muncy
LF: Joc Pederson
SS: Chris Taylor
C: Austin Barnes
Padres lineup
SS: Fernando Tatis Jr.
3B: Manny Machado
DH: Tommy Pham
1B: Eric Hosmer
RF: Wil Myers
2B: Jurickson Profar
CF: Edward Olivares
C: Austin Hedges
LF: Jorge Mateo
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