The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off a brutal loss to the San Diego Padres, where they failed to get anything going offensively.
The Dodgers, on Friday Night, got support from their bullpen to keep them in the game score-wise, with only three runs coming off Roki Sasaki and the Japanese starter getting bailed out by the relievers.
However, the Dodgers only put up one run, which came on a Mookie Betts home run. It was a positive sign for a hitter whose season is still not up to snuff, but LA failed to score any additional runs despite loading the bases.
Old friend Walker Buehler got one over on the Dodgers with a strong performance, just one run over 5.1 innings.
The Dodgers can still win the series if they take the next two games and increase their lead in the National League West.
Dodgers Lineup vs. Padres on Saturday
1. Shohei Ohtani, DH
2. Andy Pages, CF
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
4. Mookie Betts, SS
5. Max Muncy, 3B
6. Tommy Edman, LF
7. Kyle Tucker, RF
8. Dalton Rushing, C
9. Alex Freeland, 2B
The Dodgers are employing a lefty-heavy order for a game against a right-handed pitcher in Randy Vasquez.
As always is the case when facing a righty, Max Muncy, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani are the key figures to look out for.
They have been the best lefty hitters over the whole season to this point, while Andy Pages and Mookie Betts have been reliable as of late, too.
The swing players for the Dodgers, featuring in a close game or running up the score, are at the bottom of the order. If Dalton Rushing, Tommy Edman, or Alex Freeland contribute, Vasquez will not last very long.
Who is pitching for the Dodgers on Saturday?
The Dodgers get their ace on the mound, who will be tasked with delivering in a hostile environment.
Yamamoto is no stranger to these moments; in fact, he tends to relish any chance to push himself and put the team on his shoulders.
If the offense does not deliver again, Yamamoto will need to be brilliant if the Dodgers want to even up this series.
