After a productive road trip that saw them go 4-2, the Los Angeles Dodgers return to Dodger Stadium for their first home series against the San Diego Padres of 2023.
The Dodgers and Padres faced off last weekend at Petco Park, with L.A. taking two of the three games thanks in part to late-inning heroics from Mookie Betts, Michael Busch and James Outman in the series finale.
Both clubs had high expectations coming into the season, but so far the Dodgers are meeting them with a 23-15 record (.605) while the Padres have disappointed to the tune of a 19-19 record.
Dustin May takes the ball for the Dodgers looking to build off his last start, which also came against the Padres. The right-hander went six innings while giving up no earned runs on just three hits while striking out six and walking one.
May has been highly effective for L.A. this year, going 4-1 with a 2.68 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 29 strikeouts across 40.1 innings. He has also pitched at least five innings in all seven of his starts this year.
On the other side, Blake Snell will toe the rubber for the Padres during the midst of his poor campaign. The southpaw owns a 4.89 ERA with a 1.57 WHIP in 35 innings, which is far below his normal expectations with a career ERA of 3.47.
However, left-handers have given the Dodgers trouble this season, and during his last outing, Snell pitched six innings while giving up just two earned against L.A.
The Dodgers have found some more success against lefties in their previous two games though, and Freddie Freeman believes that is a sign of whats to come. Their matchup against Snell could be telling if the offense is beginning to break out against southpaws, or if their previous two games were more of a fluke.
The Dodgers lineup gets a boost in the form of J.D. Martinez, who was activated off the 10-day injured list prior to the matchup. Busch was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to make room on the active roster.
In addition, Caleb Ferguson returned from the paternity list with Wander Suero being optioned to OKC.
Although James Outman has been the Dodgers’ most effective hitter against left-handers with a .333 average and 174 wRC+, he will take a spot on the bench in favor of Trayce Thompson, who continues to receive platoon opportunities despite batting .065 (2-for-31) in 38 plate appearances with a 26 wRC+.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
DH: J.D. Martinez
LF: Chris Taylor
3B: Max Muncy
2B: Miguel Vargas
SS: Miguel Rojas
CF: Trayce Thompson
Padres lineup
RF: Fernando Tatís Jr.
LF: Juan Soto
3B: Manny Machado
SS: Xander Bogaerts
1B: Jake Cronenworth
DH: Matt Carpenter
2B: Ha-Seong Kim
CF: Trent Grisham
C: Austin Nola
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