Padres insert former Dodgers outfielder into starting lineup for NLDS Game 2

In Game 1 of the NLDS, the San Diego Padres went with Luis Arráez at DH and had Donovan Solano handling first base duties. Solano unfortunately went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, including one in a really big spot that could have changed the game.

So manager Mike Shildt is going with a bit of a different look on Sunday night. The lone lineup change he made was putting Arráez at first base and slotting in former Dodgers outfielder David Peralta as the designated hitter.

It'll be (another former Dodger!) in Yu Darvish against Jack Flaherty, who has actually been better against left-handed hitters this year (Peralta hits lefty). Solano is 1-for-11 with four strikeouts in the playoffs, though, so it's clear Shildt wants to mix things up at the bottom of the lineup.

Peralta played in 133 games with the Dodgers in 2023, but wasn't exactly great. He hit .259 with a .675 OPS and 82 OPS+. But it's been a different story in San Diego this year. He was brought on as a part-timer off the bench and has hit .267 with a .750 OPS and 109 OPS+ in limited duty.

However, in three games against the Dodgers he has yet to collect a hit, so the Pads will need that to change on Sunday.

Padres insert former Dodgers OF into starting lineup for NLDS Game 2

The Padres suffered a real tough 7-5 loss on Saturday after taking an early 3-0 lead against Yoshinobu Yamamoto and silencing the Dodger Stadium crowd. But LA got right back into it when Shohei Ohtani crushed a game-tying three-run blast.

That marks two momentum killers for the Padres, who also lost Joe Musgrove to Tommy John surgery right after they defeated the Atlanta Braves in the NL Wild Card series. They need one in a bad way on Sunday to avoid going back to SD in an 0-2 hole.

Darvish is familiar playing in LA. So is Peralta. So is Manny Machado. They've all suited up for the Dodgers and have had plenty of experience seeing them for in-division matchups.

This slight managerial move might not sway things aggressively in the Padres' manner, but after the Dodgers burned their bullpen in Game 1, perhaps Peralta is the better option to start since Solano is hitting .429 with a 1.259 OPS as a pinch hitter this year (26 plate appearances).