Beat L.A.: Padres Host Dodgers in Weekend Series

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May 21, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches during the first inning during the game at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 Friday, 7:10pm

Odrisamer Despaigne (3-4, 4.72 ERA) vs. Clayton Kershaw (5-3, 3.36 ERA)

With Morrow injured still, Despaigne will see extended time in his rotation spot. He will make his 9th start of the season and his first against the Dodgers this year.

He has looked better lately but still allowed four runs on two home runs with 9 hits last time out. His numbers against the Dodgers are shaky. He holds a 5.84 ERA in 3 appearances against L.A.

Kershaw has not looked like the 2014 Cy Young and MVP winner so far this season. He allowed just 9 home runs all of last year. This season he has already allowed 7. However, he had arguably his best start of the season last time out when he went 8 innings and struck out 11 while allowing just one hit against the mighty St. Louis Cardinals.

He has good numbers against the Padres, posting a 2.33 career ERA in 25 starts. He has faced the Padres once this year and San Diego got to him for three runs on Opening Day. A lot of Padres have struggled against Kershaw, namely Justin Upton (.098). The Padre with the most success is Clint Barmes, who has 8 hits including a home run off of him.

The silver lining is that the Padres are 4th in the National League in on-base percentage (.327) and runs scored (57) against left-handed pitching this season.

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