The Los Angeles Dodgers head into their first game of September after making quite the splash by recalling Yasiel Puig from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Puig was one of five players added to the now-expanded roster ahead of Friday’s game with the San Diego Padres.
With left-hander Clayton Richard starting for San Diego, Puig is in right field and batting fifth. Puig hit .348/.400/.594 with three doubles, four home runs and 12 RBI over 19 games with Oklahoma City.
He batted .260/.320/.386 with 10 doubles, seven home runs and 34 RBI in 81 games for the Dodgers prior to the demotion. Puig is one of four right-handed batters in Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ lineup, which also includes switch-hitter Yasmani Grandal.
As for matters on the mound, Los Angeles again hands the ball to Julio Urias. The young lefty is 5-2 with a 3.71 ERA, 3.14 FIP and 1.51 WHIP in 14 games (12 starts) this season.
In his last three outings he has given up just one run in 14.2 innings while striking out 17 and walking five.
After two rough outings to begin his career, Urias has a 2.93 ERA in 55.1 innings since June 7. He has also been particularly effective at Dodger Stadium, going 3-0 with a 2.90 ERA in seven games. This is Urias’ first career start against San Diego.
Richard enters 1-3 with a 3.51 ERA, 4.28 FIP and 1.62 WHIP in 30 games (three starts) this season between the Padres and Chicago Cubs. He has a 1.40 ERA in 19.1 innings since joining San Diego at the beginning of August.
Richard had a rough relief appearance against the Dodgers earlier this season while he was with the Cubs, allowing three hits and two runs without recording an out. Adrian Gonzalez has enjoyed success against Richard, going 9-for-14 with five RBIs.
A win on Friday night will extend the Dodgers’ lead over the San Francisco Giants in the National League West to three games.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Howie Kendrick
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
RF: Yasiel Puig
C: Yasmani Grandal
LF: Kiké Hernandez
CF: Joc Pederson
P: Julio Urias
Padres lineup:
SS: Luis Sardinas
1B: Wil Myers
3B: Yangervis Solarte
LF: Alex Dickerson
RF: Alexei Ramirez
C: Derek Norris
2B: Adam Rosales
P: Clayton Richard
CF: Travis Jankowski
