San Diego @ Los Angeles preview
Dodger Stadium
Last Meeting ( May 17, 2012 ) LA Dodgers 8, San Diego 1
The National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, who own a one-half game lead over San Francisco, could have the heart of their batting order back from the disabled list when they host the San Diego Padres in the opener of their three-game series on Friday. Matt Kemp has not played since May 30 due to a strained left hamstring, while fellow outfielder Andre Ethier has been on the disabled list since June 28 with a strained left oblique.
The Dodgers, who will be without major league stolen base leader Dee Gordon for at least six weeks due to a torn ligament in his right thumb, are hoping the four-day rest helps rejuvenate them as they lost three straight at Arizona prior to the All-Star break. San Diego also enters the series on a three-game slide. The Padres, who are 2-7 against Los Angeles this season, lost three straight to Cincinnati following a season-high six-game winning streak.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN (San Diego), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Clayton Richard (6-9, 3.91 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (6-5, 2.91 ERA)
Richard has lost two of his last three starts, including a 6-5 setback against Cincinnati on Saturday in which he surrendered six runs and eight hits over six innings. Prior to that outing, the 28-year-old had allowed three earned runs or less in five straight starts. Richard improved to 6-1 lifetime against the Dodgers on May 16, when he yielded two runs over seven frames. He will be making his fourth start of the season versus Los Angeles.
Kershaw also enters having dropped two of his last three starts. The 24-year-old All-Star was tagged for five runs over 5 1/3 innings in a loss at Arizona last Friday. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, Kershaw is 7-3 with a 2.40 ERA in 15 career starts against San Diego. He has allowed three earned runs over 8 1/3 innings in two outings versus the Padres this year but has not received a decision.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Diego closer Huston Street was one of two NL pitchers who did not see action in Tuesday's All-Star Game. The other was St. Louis' Lance Lynn.
2. Kershaw tossed a scoreless inning in the All-Star Game, allowing two hits and a walk while throwing 27 pitches.
3. Los Angeles made a minor trade during the All-Star break, acquiring IF Ozzie Martinez from the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations. The 24-year-old Martinez batted .178 with 13 RBIs in 60 games with Triple-A Charlotte this season.