Padres Play Weekend Series in L.A.

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Apr 6, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of a United States flag on the field during the playing of the national anthem before the 2015 MLB opening day game between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres (20-22) limp into a weekend series with the first-place LosAngeles Dodgers (24-16). The Friars lost a tough series at home to the Chicago Cubs and completed a homestand where they went 2-5; also Pads were shutout twice.

The Dodgers are in a funk of their own. There must be something in the San Francisco air because it was the Dodgers’ turn to get shutout in consecutive games by the Giants, much like the Padres were up there at the beginning of the month. But this time, the Dodgers were shut out every game of that series. The Giants outscored them 10-0 in the three game sweep.

Luckily, the Padres will miss Clayton Kershaw, who just pitched last night. The Friars are still without first baseman Yonder Alonso and centerfielder/leadoff man Wil Myers. Alonso is eligible to come off the DL after this weekend but according to cbssports.com’s Brandon Wise, he is still “a ways away” from returning. Myers will be eligible to return early next week and it is likely he will return before Alonso.

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May 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) hits in two runs in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 Friday, 7:10pm

Andrew Cashner (1-7, 3.24 ERA) vs. Zack Greinke (5-1, 1.52 ERA)

Cashner may lead the major leagues in losses but don’t let that fool you into thinking he can’t match with Greinke. Beyond his record, Cashner is having a decent season. In 6 of his 8 starts, he has allowed 3 runs or less. Though the last time he faced the Dodgers in LA, it was not pretty. He allowed 3 home runs to Adrian Gonzalez and surrendered 5 runs total.

Cashner has a career ERA of 3.80 at Dodger Stadium but a 2.22 ERA in his career against the Dodgers.

Greinke is putting up Cy Young numbers so far and doing his best Clayton Kershaw impression. He dominated the Padres in both previous starts this year. In those two games combined, he threw 13 innings while only allowing one run and 6 hits. The 31 year-old righty from Orlando, FL has always dominated the Padres with a 5-0 record and 1.58 ERA in 9 starts.

A ray of hope for the Padres is that Justin Upton is hitting .346 with two home runs against Greinke.

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May 17, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (22) reacts after giving up a three run home run against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2 Saturday, 7:10pm

Ian Kennedy (2-3, 6.75 ERA) vs. Mike Bolsinger (2-0, 1.04 ERA)

Kennedy has struggled in his last two starts, allowing 11 runs in 9 2/3 innings with 7 walks. Needless to say he is looking to turn it around in a big way. He was tagged for 8 runs the last time he faced the Dodgers and only went 4 1/3 innings. Kennedy has a 4.58 ERA in 18 career starts against the Dodgers.

Bolsinger has impressed early in his career. He will be making his 13th career start. He has only allowed two earned runs in his previous 3 starts this year. He faced the Padres once before when he was an Arizona Diamondback last season. He went 6 innings and allowed 2 earned runs on 4 walks, getting the loss.

Kennedy will have to be cautious with Gonzalez and Andre Ethier, who both have three home runs against Kennedy.

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May 19, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher James Shields (33) pitches during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Game 3 Sunday, 1:10pm

James Shields (5-0. 3.74 ERA) vs. Carlos Frias (3-1, 2.55 ERA)

Shields is still undefeated although he has been far from perfect. He has allowed a major-league leading 14 home runs. He did have one of his better starts last time out against the Cubs, striking out 11 in 7 innings. Shields is 9th in the NL in innings pitched with 55 1/3.

In his only start against the Dodgers this year, he went 6 innings while allowing 2 runs and striking out 8. Shields may lead the league in home runs allowed but he also leads the National League in a good stat, strikeouts. He has 75.

Frias is a tall right-handed, 25 year-old Dominican rookie. He has never started against the Padres but has appeared in 3 games. In 3 innings, he has not allowed a run and struck out 4 against San Diego. He has walked multiple batters in one start only once in his four starts this season.

The Padres are stumbling right now and this will be a tough task going into Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers haven’t scored a run in over three games but the Padres pitching has not been what it should be. I expect better play from both teams in this series but ultimately a series win for the Dodgers at home.

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