Two pitching masterclasses on Friday night from Tyler Glasnow and Michael King resulted in the Los Angeles Dodgers suffering their first loss in eight games at the hand of the San Diego Padres.
L.A.’s bats simply could not figure out King, but the Dodgers wipe the slate clean and have a chance to start a new winning streak on Saturday in San Diego.
The Dodgers have been dominant as of late, as their 26-14 record is the third-best in the National League despite a slower start to the season. But one thing they have not yet figured out with consistency is beating the Padres.
Normally, the Dodgers are able to win at will against their Southern California rivals, but they are 2-4 this season. The Padres have won in all types of ways against the Dodgers this season, as well.
Friday night’s L.A. loss was a classic pitcher’s duel, with Glasnow and King making history by being the first dual starters to go seven or more innings with 10-plus strikeouts and two or fewer hits allowed. But the Padres also have a 15-11 win from the Seoul Series.
James Paxton gets the start on the mound for the Dodgers, which has usually led to success this season. They are 5-1 when he is the starter, and he has a 4-0 record in decisions. L.A.’s only losing effort with Paxton on the mound this season was April 14, against the Padres.
Paxton has a 3.06 ERA in 32.1 innings this season, however, evidence suggests he may be getting some help from his defense and good luck. His fielding-independent pitching (FIP) is 5.47, and that is likely in part due to the fact that he leads the Major Leagues in walks allowed with 24.
On the flip side, the Padres have Matt Waldron on the mound. Waldron is having somewhat of a reverse season to Paxton, as he holds a 5.82 ERA but with a 4.50 FIP. He has a 1-4 record and the Padres are 1-6 in his starts.
The Dodgers have not lost back-to-back games since April 18-20, and hope to continue that trend on Saturday night.
Dodgers Lineup
SS: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
LF: Teoscar Hernández
RF: Andy Pages
2B: Gavin Lux
CF: James Outman
Padres Lineup
DH: Luis Arraez
RF: Fernando Tatis Jr.
1B: Jake Cronenworth
LF: Jurickson Profar
2B: Xander Bogaerts
3B: Donovan Solano
SS: Ha-Seong Kim
C: Luis Campusano
CF: Jackson Merrill
