After a lackluster performance in the series opener, the Los Angeles Dodgers responded with a 7-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Saturday night to lower their magic number to clinch the National League West to seven.
They now send left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu to the mound as they go for the series win over the Padres in what is the last regular-season game at Dodger Stadium this season.
Ryu is in the midst of a career-year for the Dodgers, going 5-3 with a 2.18 ERA, 3.01 FIP and 1.04 WHIP in 13 starts. He has struck out 78 and walked 13 in 70.1 innings.
He has been even better at the friendly confines of Chavez Ravine, posting a 1.29 ERA in eight starts at home compared to 4.15 in five road starts.
Throughout the course of his career, Ryu has dominated San Diego. He is 6-1 with a 2.65 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in nine starts against them.
The Padres also send a left-hander to the mound in rookie Joey Lucchesi. The 25-year-old is 8-8 with a 3.74 ERA, 4.05 FIP and 1.29 WHIP in 24 starts this season. He has 131 strikeouts while only walking 41 in 120.1 total innings.
This marks his third start this season against Los Angeles, and he did not fare well in the first two, going 0-2 with a 5.00 ERA and 1.67 WHIP.
Kiké Hernandez has found some success against Lucchesi, going 3-for-6 with a home run. Chris Taylor, who is batting leadoff, also took him deep, although that was his only hit in five at-bats.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Chris Taylor
3B: Justin Turner
1B: David Freese
SS: Manny Machado
CF: Kiké Hernandez
RF: Matt Kemp
2B: Brian Dozier
C: Austin Barnes
P: Hyun-Jin Ryu
Padres lineup:
3B: Wil Myers
RF: Franmil Reyes
LF: Hunter Renfroe
1B: Eric Hosmer
C: Francisco Mejia
SS: Freddy Galvis
CF: Manuel Margot
2B: Cory Spangenberg
P: Joey Lucchesi
