Editorials

Preview: Dodgers Offense Looks To Get Back On Track Against Padres

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

After being swept by the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park for the second time this season, the Los Angeles Dodgers return home to take on another familiar foe, the San Diego Padres.

Despite the three-game skid, the Dodgers still remain in first place in the National League West, entering Friday’s contest with a 24-16 record. The Padres, meanwhile, arrive to Dodger Stadium in third place with a 20-22 record.

For the third time in 2015, Zack Greinke (5-1, 1.52 ERA) takes the mound against a Padres team in which he has dominated throughout his entire career. In two previous starts this season, he’s allowed just one earned run in 13 innings pitched while allowing a mere 10 baserunners.

In his last start against the Colorado Rockies, Greinke allowed only one earned run in six innings but ultimately got the loss that ended his impressive streak of 10 consecutive wins.

Taking the hill for the Padres is right-handed pitcher Andrew Cashner (1-7, 3.24 ERA), who makes his third start of the season against the Dodgers. After allowing three home runs to Adrian Gonzalez and five earned runs total in five innings pitched on April 8, Cashner bounced back nicely in his second start against Los Angeles, going seven innings and giving up just two earned runs at Petco Park.

Padres right fielder Matt Kemp makes his second return to Dodger Stadium since being traded in the offseason. Whereas the season was just beginning in his first visit, he enters Friday’s game amid a difficult month of May. In 19 games, he’s batting just .176 with four extra-base hits and zero home runs.

On the flip side, Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal is currently having a stellar month of May, slashing .396/.492/.667 with three home runs and four doubles in 15 games. Both teams enter Friday with respective consecutive scoreless streaks; the Padres at 14 innings and the Dodgers at 31 innings. Surely, something has to give.

Dodgers Lineup:

CF: Joc Pederson

SS: Jimmy Rollins

2B: Howie Kendrick

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

C: Yasmani Grandal

3B: Justin Turner

RF: Andre Ethier

LF: Scott Van Slyke

P: Zack Greinke

Padres Lineup:

1B: Yangervis Solarte

2B: Cory Spangenberg

RF: Matt Kemp

LF: Justin Upton

C: Derek Norris

CF: Will Venable

3B: Will Middlebrooks

SS: Clint Barmes

P: Andrew Cashner

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Kenley Jansen Not Worrying About Foot


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