Dodgers Padres Game 3 Preview

After one of the more fun wins of the season, the Dodgers have a 7.5 game lead in the West headed into Saturday night’s game against the Padres.

Even though Mike Bolsinger was less-than-stellar yesterday, it was a lot less annoying than Mat Latos‘ start the night before. I’d be perfectly content if Bolsinger replaced Latos in the rotation moving forward. The offense bailed Bolsinger out last night, putting up five runs on three sixth-inning homers and for the most part, the bullpen was good.

Alex Wood gets the ball for the Dodgers tonight and he’s been much better of late. He pitched his second quality start his last time out against the Dodgers, but was overshadowed by Jake Arrieta‘s no-hitter. He allowed two runs and eight hits in six innings and struck out seven Cubs.

Jul 2, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Tyson Ross (38) throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Wood has been pretty good at keeping the ball in the ballpark this year, which should come in handy at the apparently very hitter-friendly Petco Park. In last night’s game, eight home runs were hit and the only run to score on anything other than a homer was on a Corey Seager fielders’ choice. Wood has only allowed 11 homers in 27 starts on the season and only three in his six starts as a Dodger. Matt Kemp is the only current Padre to have a home run against him in his career.

If the Dodgers are gearing up for their weekly no-hitter, it might come tonight off the arm of Tyson Ross. Ross is really the only pitcher performing the way Padres pitchers are supposed to be performing this year. FIP lower than his ERA (2.88-3.27) due to a horrible defense. Keep the ball in the ballpark (NL-leading 0.3 HR/9) and a ton of strikeouts (179, or 9.6/9 innings). Ross probably isn’t at the ace level yet, but he’s still an insanely talented pitcher about to enter his prime.

Justin Turner is the only Dodger with a homer in the past off Ross, but Carl Crawford has eight hits and four walks in 19 career plate appearances against him.

Seager is out of the lineup for the first time since being called up. He had an awesome couple days, and hopefully there will be much more of him to come in September.

Yasmani Grandal is in the middle of a huge slump, with his last hit coming on August 16. He’s been battling some shoulder issues and it might be time for A.J. Ellis/Austin Barnes to get some playing time, at least against lesser opponents.

Andre Ethier is back in the lineup after missing two games after fouling a ball off his knee. He was announced as a pinch hitter yesterday, only for the Padres to counter with a lefty, off of whom Justin Ruggiano hit a pinch hit home run. Look at Donnie out-managing someone!

First pitch is scheduled for 5:40 PST and will be shown on Sportsnet LA.