Dodgers Padres Game Two Preview

The Dodgers look to fare better in game two than they did in game one in San Diego.

This last week of the season is going to be strange. There’s a fun mix of guys still fighting for a roster spot, and while the regulars could definitely use some rest, there are still meaningful games to be played. The Dodgers are 53-28 at home, which over the course of a 162 game season would make them roughly a 106-win team. On the road, they’re 37-39, which would make them a 79-win team.

As it stands, the Dodgers would open up the NLDS in Washington DC. The Nationals are in striking distance, with only two games separating the teams and the Dodgers owning the tiebreaker. Home field advantage isn’t as dire in baseball as it is in other sports, but the Dodgers are undeniably better at home. I’ll take Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill at any stadium, so while we’re inclined to root for home field in the NLDS, it’s probably not worth having players risk injury down the stretch.

ANYWAYS, last night’s game was basically a spring training game. Kenta Maeda was on a pitch count, a few regulars were taken out of the game early and Hunter Renfroe single-handedly beat the Dodgers. It’s obviously more fun when the Dodgers lose, but these games are pretty low-stakes, so save your anger for the postseason.

(all of these words are null and void when the Dodgers are in SF. Beat them, keep them out of the postseason please.)

Dodgers Starter

Jose De Leon gets his final audition for the postseason roster today. The fourth starter spot is wide open, and while the Dodgers have enough depth to essentially make it a bullpen game, De Leon would probably like to be a part of it.

De Leon’s first start was promising despite allowing three runs in six innings. It came against the Padres, and he struck out nine and pitched very well. His second start in New York was weird, as he allowed two runs in five innings but only struck out three. His last outing was disastrous, as he got roughed up in Arizona and failed to get out of the fourth inning. After striking out nine in his first start, he’s only struck out five in his last two starts combined.

If De Leon had been dominating, he’d probably have a lock on the fourth starter spot. As is, Julio Urias is reportedly back in the mix. They’re the only two outside of the top-3 (Kershaw/Hill/Maeda) that will get starts for the rest of the season, so who knows how four will line up.

Padres Starter

Luis Perdomo will start for the Padres today. Perdomo was awful as a reliever, but has looked much better as a starter and has even showed flashes of dominance.

His last 17 appearances have been starts, and he holds a 4.26 ERA in that time. He has 72 strikeouts and 25 walks in those 17 starts, which isn’t too shabby. He’s gone at least six innings in each of his last six starts and has gone at least seven in three of those starts. His best start came at the end of August, when he threw a complete game in Miami.

Next: James' Thank You to Vin

Perdomo’s made two starts against the Dodgers, both of which came at Dodger Stadium. He allowed two runs in six innings back in June and allowed five runs in six innings at the beginning of September, both of which were losses. Perdomo made three relief appearances against the Dodgers earlier in the season and got lit up. He allowed 11 runs in seven innings of relief and took the loss in a 17-inning game.

Dodgers Lineup

Justin Turner gets the day off with Howie Kendrick starting at third. Andrew Toles gets the start in left again.

Adrian Gonzalez was one of a few players pulled in yesterday’s game, but he had a sinus issue. He’s apparently fine, as he’s back in there today.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PST and will be shown on SNLA.