After setting a franchise record for most wins at Dodger Stadium in a single season, the Los Angeles Dodgers now begin their final road trip of the year by facing the San Diego Padres. As planned, Rich Hill makes his return to the rotation, and as hoped for, Max Muncy also is back.
Muncy missed the past two games after being removed Friday night with quadriceps tightness. He was expected to be in the lineup for the series finale with the Colorado Rockies, but the Dodgers medical staff suggested erring on the side of caution.
In doing so, Muncy has benefitted from three full off days. His return comes at the same ballpark he sustained a fractured right wrist. Fortunately for Muncy and the Dodgers, the break was considered a small one, and he was back on the field in just over two week’s time.
Meanwhile, Hill receives another opportunity to start after leaving his last outing in the first inning because of a strained MCL in his left knee. Pitching for the first time since June 19, Hill struck out two batters before his mechanics became compromised because of the knee trouble.
Hill has taken to again wearing a knee brace, which curtails the pain, and paved the way for the veteran left-hander to again begin his quest toward being on the active roster come the postseason.
Hill is only expected to go two innings and if all goes well, should be in line to start the regular-season finale on Sunday as well.
San Diego counters with Ronald Boñalos, who was promoted from Double-A Amarillo earlier this month. Boñalos is 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA in three games (two starts) thus far in his young Major League career.
He faces a Dodgers lineup that features Corey Seager and A.J. Pollock, both of whom have swung the bat well of late. Seager was named National League Player of the Week for Sept. 16-22 and is in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak. Pollock has hit safely in nine consecutive games.
Dodgers lineup:
RF: Joc Pederson
1B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Cody Bellinger
SS: Corey Seager
LF: A.J. Pollock
2B: Gavin Lux
C: Will Smith
P: Rich Hill
Padres lineup:
CF: Manuel Margot
LF: Nick Martini
3B: Manny Machado
1B: Eric Hosmer
RF: Hunter Renfroe
SS: Seth Mejias-Brean
C: Luis Torrens
2B: Luis Urias
P: Ronald Boñalos
