Losers in three of their last four games, the Los Angeles Dodgers look to rebound from a frustrating night and move themselves closer to a seventh consecutive National League West title. The Dodgers enter play against the San Diego Padres with their magic number down to 11.
The Dodgers’ lineup does not include Justin Turner, who was fined an undisclosed amount and suspended one game by MLB for making contact with home-plate umpire Rob Drake while protesting a strike three call that ended Monday’s game.
Although Turner isn’t starting, he’s available off the bench and eligible to remain active until an appeals hearing is held.
On the mound, Walker Buehler looks to build off seven scoreless innings his last time out. Though, it’s worth noting that outing came at Dodger Stadium, where Buehler has been more dominant this season compared to his road starts.
Buehler’s only time facing the Padres this year came at home in what was a complete game effort. He allowed just one run on five hits and finished 15 strikeouts. That trailed only the 16 strikeouts Buehler had in a complete game against the Colorado Rockies earlier this season.
He’s 5-3 with a 4.37 ERA in 12 road starts. Buehler is mindful of those struggles and committed to better matching his home success when pitching away from Dodger Stadium. Buehler has yet to pitch at Petco Park.
The Padres are countering with Cal Quantrill, one of the many rookies they have relied on this season. The right-hander is 6-4 with a 3.32 ERA, 3.90 FIP and 1.09 WHIP in 18 games (13 starts). Quantrill has been impressive since returning to the rotation in July, pitching to a 2.22 ERA in his last eight starts.
However, one of his losses during that stretch came to the Dodgers. Coincidentally, it was on the same night as Buehler throwing his complete game. Quantrill allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits — including one home run — in five innings. The homer was hit by Turner.
Dodgers lineup:
RF: Joc Pederson
3B: Max Muncy
CF: A.J. Pollock
1B: Cody Bellinger
SS: Corey Seager
LF: Matt Beaty
C: Will Smith
2B: Kiké Hernandez
P: Walker Buehler
Padres lineup:
2B: Greg Garcia
LF: Josh Naylor
3B: Manny Machado
1B: Eric Hosmer
RF: Hunter Renfroe
C: Francisco Mejia
CF: Manuel Margot
SS: Luis Urias
P: Cal Quantrill
