After an off day on Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue the backend of their nine-game homestand as they face the San Diego Padres in the opener of a brief two-game series at Dodger Stadium.
The two teams previously faced off at Petco Park at the start of May, when the Dodgers took two out of three and nearly came away with a sweep had it not been for Hunter Renfroe’s walk-off grand slam against Kenley Jansen in the finale.
Los Angeles continues to lead the way in the National League West, entering play with a 27-16 record and 7-3 showing over their last 10 games. The Padres are just 5-5 during the span and remain in third place in the division at 22-19.
Clayton Kershaw makes his sixth start of the season and second against the Padres this month. Nearly two weeks ago in San Diego, he was tabbed with a no-decision after allowing three runs on six hits with six strikeouts over six innings pitched.
The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner enters with a perfect 2-0 record on the year, having posted a 3.31 ERA, 3.75 FIP and 0.98 WHIP in 32.2 innings.
Kershaw has dominated the Padres over the course of his illustrious career, compiling an 18-6 record, 1.97 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 242 strikeouts against 69 walks in 228.2 innings pitched (35 starts).
San Diego counters with budding star Chris Paddack, who makes his first career start against the Dodgers. He has posted video game-like numbers through the first seven appearances of his Major League career.
The right-hander is 3-1 on the year, having pitched to a superb 1.55 ERA, 2.30 FIP and MLB-leading 0.69 WHIP in 40.2 innings of work. He has additionally allowed just 18 hits on the year — good for a league-best four hits per nine innings ratio.
Paddack tossed 7.2 shutout innings in his last start against the New York Mets on May 6, accumulating 11 strikeouts while walking just one batter. He is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in three road starts this season.
Paddack faces a Dodgers team that boasts a deep lineup and one that’s led by Cody Bellinger, who enters play hitting .407. Bellinger is the first Dodgers player to have a .400 batting average through 173 plate appearances in a season since Jackie Robinson in 1951.
Meanwhile, Justin Turner has hit safely in his last six games, batting .417/.462/1.083 during that span, with one double, five home runs and 10 RBI. Turner is hitting .375 with six home runs and 12 RBI in 14 games since April 14.
Manny Machado is batting third in his first game since signing with the Padres in free agency. Machado hit three home runs in the first two games against the Dodgers at Petco Park, one of which was off Kershaw.
The Dodgers recalled JT Chargois from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take the place of Julio Urias on the active roster. Urias was placed on administrative leave as MLB investigates his arrest and alleged involvement in a domestic dispute.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Joc Pederson
1B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
RF: Cody Bellinger
CF: Alex Verdugo
SS: Corey Seager
2B: Chris Taylor
C: Austin Barnes
P: Clayton Kershaw
Padres lineup:
2B: Ian Kinsler
RF: Franmil Reyes
SS: Manny Machado
LF: Hunter Renfroe
1B: Eric Hosmer
3B: Ty France
CF: Wil Myers
C: Austin Hedges
P: Chris Paddack
