After an off day on Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers return to action for the opener of a three-game series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Friday marks the first meeting between the two teams this season.
The Dodgers are coming off a series loss to the San Francisco Giants and enter play with a 6-4 record over their last 10 games. The Padres are additionally 6-4 during the same stretch.
The series opener sees a bit of an anomaly for the Dodgers as Joc Pederson is in the lineup for his first start against a left-hander this season. Cody Bellinger is batting second and playing first base, which has Alex Verdugo in right field.
On the mound, Clayton Kershaw makes his fourth start of the season and looks to build off an excellent outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In seven innings of work, he allowed just one run on four hits with eight strikeouts.
Kershaw enters with a 1-0 record on the year, having posted a superb 2.25 ERA, 2.92 FIP and 0.75 WHIP in 20 innings pitched. Though it’s early, the left-hander has seen an uptick in strikeouts per nine (9.5) when compared to last season’s mark of 8.6.
The 31-year-old has dominated the Padres over the course of his illustrious career, compiling an 18-6 record with a minuscule 1.90 WHIP and 0.98 WHIP across 222.2 innings pitched (34 starts).
San Diego counters with fellow southpaw Eric Lauer, who is coming off a solid start against the Washington Nationals. In 5.2 innings of work, he allowed five baserunners and two runs with six strikeouts.
For the season, Lauer owns a 2-3 record, 4.41 ERA, 4.25 FIP and 1.32 WHIP with 29 strikeouts against 10 walks over 32.2 innings pitched (six starts).
The 23-year-old was dominant in three starts against the Dodgers during his rookie 2018 campaign, picking up wins in each contest while posting a 0.92 ERA in 19.2 innings pitched.
The Dodgers catch a break this series, as the Padres placed young phenom Fernando Tatis Jr. on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring strain. In 27 games this season, he is hitting .300/.360/.550 with five doubles, one triple, six home runs and 13 RBI over 111 plate appearances.
L.A. will see Manny Machado for the first time since he left the team via free agency. Machado is batting .235/.318/.391 with three doubles, five home runs and 14 RBI.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Kiké Hernandez
1B: Cody Bellinger
3B: Justin Turner
SS: Corey Seager
CF: Chris Taylor
RF: Alex Verdugo
C: Austin Barnes
LF: Joc Pederson
P: Clayton Kershaw
Padres lineup:
2B: Ian Kinsler
RF: Franmil Reyes
SS: Manny Machado
LF: Hunter Renfroe
1B: Eric Hosmer
3B: Ty France
LF: Wil Myers
C: Austin Hedges
P: Eric Lauer
