The Los Angeles Dodgers are opening up for a blockbuster series, their last big test, against the San Diego Padres.
Dodgers Lineup
1. Mookie Betts, SS
2. Freddie Freeman, 1B
3. Will Smith, C
4. Max Muncy, 3B
5. Kyle Tucker, RF
6. Teoscar Hernandez, LF
7. Josue De Paula, DH
8. Andy Pages, CF
9. Tommy Edman, 2B
Andy Pages is back in the batting order after being activated from the injured list. He broke his hand after getting hit by a pitch, had surgery, and after a month on the shelf, he is back.
It may take some time for him to shake off the rust at the plate, but his defense should not skip a beat.
The Dodgers are facing righty Michael King, but many of the hottest bats are righties.
Mookie Betts, Will Smith, and Kyle Tucker are among the most dialed-in hitters, and they should drive most of the offense.
Ideally, Freddie Freeman gets going again, since he hasn’t looked right in a while.
Who’s pitching for the Dodgers
The Dodgers will have Brock Stewart as the opener, with Roki Sasaki getting the bulk of the work out of the bullpen.
On Tuesday, hours before the game, Sasaki was activated off the injured list after recovering from his blister.
Sasaki has been great since the All-Star break, posting a 3.05 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 15 walks.
His splitter and slider are fantastic, while the fastball has been the difference-maker, showing some renewed life.
The Japanese righty is set to enter the bullpen in a varied role, either stepping in for a struggling starter or pitching late in high-leverage spots.
Stewart, meanwhile, has been a bit lucky, with a 2.55 ERA and a 3.91 FIP.
FanGraphs’ pitching models have appreciated his stuff and command, and while he has pitched better lately, he is prone to giving up hard contact.
