By all accounts the Los Angeles Dodgers were heavily involved in the Juan Soto sweepstakes, but it was the San Diego Padres who wound up completing a blockbuster trade to not only acquire the All-Star outfielder but Josh Bell as well.
The Dodgers get their first look at the revamped Padres on Friday night in the series opener at Dodger Stadium. Although Soto was treated to “future Dodger” chants during the All-Star Game and cheers when the Washington Nationals recently visited, he presumably won’t receive a warm reception this weekend.
Soto is 3-for-8 with one double, one triple and two walks through two games with the Padres thus far.
Tony Gonsolin is tasked with containing the Padres, who enter play 12.5 games back of the Dodgers for first place in the National League West.
Gonsolin is 12-1 with a 2.41 ERA but hit a bit of a rough patch of late. He’s allowed at least three earned runs in each of his past three starts, and surrendered a homer in four straight. If there’s one encouraging sign for the Dodgers and Gonsolin, it’s his fastball velocity still holding despite already having thrown a career high in innings.
The Padres counter with Sean Manaea, yet another of their marquee additions this year, though one from just before Opening Day of the 2022 season.
Manaea hasn’t excelled in his first year with San Diego as he’s just 6-5 with a 4.25 ERA. The southpaw allowed seven runs (six earned) in just 4.1 innings when he last faced the Dodgers on April 24. However, four of those came against Dinelson Lamet after he inherited a bases-loaded jam.
While the weekend series has drawn plenty of attention for the star power on both rosters, Friday night includes a Vin Scully ceremony as the Dodgers celebrate the life of their late Hall of Fame broadcaster. Scully passed away Tuesday in his Hidden Hills home at the age of 94.
Fans are asked to be in their seat by 6:30 p.m. PT. The Scully tribute will air live on SportsNet LA.
Chris Taylor is back in the Dodgers lineup after spending one month on the 10-day injured list while recovering from a small fracture in his left foot. Taylor appeared in two games on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City this week.
Also before the game, the Dodgers recalled Reyes Moronta and placed Clayton Kershaw on the 15-day IL.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Trea Turner
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
2B: Chris Taylor
3B: Hanser Alberto
DH: Miguel Vargas
LF: Trayce Thompson
CF: Cody Bellinger
Padres lineup
LF: Jurickson Profar
RF: Juan Soto
DH: Manny Machado
1B: Josh Bell
2B: Jake Cronenworth
3B: Brandon Drury
CF: Trent Grisham
C: Jorge Alfaro
SS: Ha-Seong Kim
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