Padres vs. Dodgers series opener: Friars look to play spoiler against rival

The San Diego Padres will host their division rival for a three-game series on Monday. Here’s what to expect and how to watch Game 1 of Padres vs. Dodgers.

Division match ups are back as the Padres vs. Dodgers series begins on Monday evening at Petco Park.

MLB Players’ Weekend is over and we’re entering the final stretch of August. Teams in playoff contention and those who are not both look forward to the fall, even for wildly different reasons. This rings true for the San Diego Padres and their division rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

San Diego is 60-69 and 8.5 games back from the National League wild card spot. While they’re still technically in contention, there’s no doubt the team has shifted its focus away from the playoffs and towards the offseason, which might be the biggest and most important one in nearly a decade.

With their headlights facing 2020, the Padres will have a lot to contemplate as they enter the fall. Upgrading the starting rotation, solidifying the outfield, and creating stability at the catchers position are just a few questions the front office will need to answer before next March.

Don’t even ask how many games back the Padres are in the NL divisional race though. The Dodgers lead major league baseball in win percentage and runs scored vs. runs against, boasting an 86-46 record and a pretty unbelievable +214 run differential.

It’s nothing new to L.A. though, having won the NL West eight out of the past 11 seasons and on pace to win their seventh divisional crown in a row since 2013.

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This particular match up isn’t shaping up to be an easy one for the MLB juggernauts though. The Padres will be sending Eric Lauer (6-8) to the mound to face off against Dodgers rookie Dustin May (1-2).

While Lauer doesn’t have the most impressive stat line this season (4.47 ERA, 1.139 WHIP, 98 strikeouts through 118.2 IP), he’s been a constant thorn in the Dodgers’ side.

In his short-two year career thus far, Lauer is 4-0 against L.A. through six games, posting a 1.72 ERA, 0.927 WHIP, and 35 strikeouts through 36.2 innings pitched.

His last two outings against them have been fantastic, holding the team to three runs off seven hits through 12 innings pitched.

He’s truly the Dodger-destroyer.

For L.A., Dustin May will try to keep up after allowing a grand slam to the Atlanta Braves in his first relief appearance of the season. The home run blew a 3-1 lead and he finished by surrendering four runs off three hits through two innings.

May owns a 4.26 ERA and 1.211 WHIP and will be starting just his fourth game of the season. He’s fighting for a spot on the Dodgers’ starting rotation come October, and thus far he’s left a lot to be desired. Hopefully the Padres will knock him down another peg on Monday evening.

The Padres vs. Dodgers series will begin on August 26 at 7:10 PM PT/10:10 PM ET. Here’s how to watch the game live, online and via live stream:

Date: Monday, August 26
First Pitch: 7:10 PM PT/10:10 PM ET
Location: San Diego, CA
Stadium: Petco Park
Pitchers: Eric Lauer (6-8) vs. Dustin May (1-2)
Radio Station: KWFN 97.3 (Padres), AM 570 (Dodgers)
TV Channel: Fox Sports San Diego (Padres), SportsNet LA (Dodgers)
Live Stream: MLB.tv

For complete coverage of the San Diego Padres 2019 season, be sure to visit Friars on Base all season long.