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

By Nick Lee |
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Jun 1, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) hits a ground rule double in the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Dodgers defeated the Rockies 11-4. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres (31-31) come home after a 7-game road trip to start a quick 5-game homestand. They will start with the first place Los Angeles Dodgers (35-25). This is a key series as the Padres trail the Dodgers by 5 games in the NL West.

The Padres come off of a wild series split it Atlanta. Both Padre wins came in the 11th inning of the bookends of the series. In both of those games, the Padres were trailing late.

The Dodgers hit the road after sweeping the Arizona Diamondbacks at home. The last win came in the form of a walk-off hit.

Finally, the Padres start a series near full strength. Wil Myers returned from his wrist injury that cost him a month of action. He scored the tying run in the 8th inning rally on Thursday afternoon. The news on Brandon Morrow is a lot less encouraging.

He left his rehab start on June 7th after just 49 pitches because of discomfort. He has been shut down for at least another two weeks. It may be a while before we see him back in the Padres rotation.

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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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May 31, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Justin Upton (10) follows through during the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2 Saturday, 7:10pm

Ian Kennedy (3-5, 6.48 ERA) vs. Zack Greinke (5-1, 1.92 ERA)

The official matchup says “TBD” for the Padres but this is Kennedy’s spot in the lineup. He has had his struggles and the Padres are in the midst of a stretch of 17 straight games without an off day. Perhaps Bud Black is considering shuffling the rotation to give some guys a break.

Kennedy has struggled against the Dodgers this year. In two starts he has allowed 10 runs in 10 1/3 innings with four home runs.

Things don’t get any easier for the Padres after Kershaw because they then have to deal with Greinke, who is having a better season than Kershaw. He has pitched 20 2/3 innings against the Padres this season and has only allowed two runs. He has been consistent this year and could possibly be in the running for NL Cy Young.

Upton may have bad numbers against Kershaw but he has owned Greinke. He is 10 for 29 (.345) with two home runs, five RBI and four walks.

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Jun 8, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Game 3 Sunday, 1:10pm

James Shields (7-0, 3.79 ERA) vs. Mike Bolsinger (4-1, 2.08 ERA)

Again the Padres have not officially announced Shields as the starter, perhaps wanting to give him an extra day off. Shields is looking to put the worst start of his Padres career behind him. Against the Braves, he let a 5-0 lead slip by allowing 5 runs in the 6th inning. He has allowed 5 earned runs in 13 innings against the Dodgers so far this season.

Bolsinger has been huge for the Dodgers since they have lost two rotation starters for the year. In his lone start against the Padres this year, he pitched 8 innings of one-hit, shutout ball. He has pitched at least into the 6th inning in six of his seven starts.

The good news is the Padres are 4-1 on Military Sundays.

This is a big series for the Padres. They can gain ground in the NL West and get above .500. They have had trouble getting above .500 and staying there. Unfortunately, I am predicting a series loss here. The pitching matchups are a tough draw this weekend and the Padres are playing a lot of baseball and may show signs of fatigue. A series win here could turn the season around completely and get San Diego hoping for October baseball once again.

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