Series Preview: Padres Head to LA to Face Dodgers

Jul 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Dee Gordon (9) slides head-first stealing 2nd base as San Diego Padres third baseman Alexi Amarista (5) applies the tag too late in the 6th inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Predictions 

The Padres have their work cut out for them in this series. The Dodgers have plenty of weapons to throw at the Padres offensively and on the mound. The Dodgers are second in the National League with a .259 batting average.The thing to watch out for the most is on the base paths. The Dodgers lead the major leagues with 114 stolen bases. This is mainly due to a man named Dee Gordon. He has 56 stolen bases in 119 games. The next closest player to him is Jose Altuve with 46. The Dodgers have 18 home runs and 93 RBI on the disabled list in Hanley Ramirez and Juan Uribe.

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The Dodgers are not far behind the Padres in pitching, with a team ERA of 3.34. They also lead the National League in strikeouts. The key to a series win for San Diego is to keep Dee Gordon off of the base paths and Adrian Gonzalez out of the gaps. If Gonzalez starts finding gaps for doubles, that starts rallies and scores runs, things can get out of hand. They cannot let Gordon run them ragged on the base paths. The Padres avoid Clayton Kershaw and a few good pitchers are on the DL. They have a good opportunity to win this series. My prediction is a bold one. I think the Padres have what it takes to win a series in Chavez Ravine. The Padres win Game 1, taking advantage of their knowledge of Correia. They should also take care of Hernandez, who also is a new Dodger. The Padres might not get so lucky against Greinke, but win the series 2 games to 1.