San Diego @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2013 ) San Diego 1, LA Dodgers 2

Veteran infielder Michael Young is expected to make his Los Angeles Dodgers' debut on Sunday when his new team aims for a three-game sweep of the San Diego Padres, who have lost four of their last five. Young, who will likely share time at third base with Juan Uribe, was acquired from Philadelphia minutes before Saturday’s deadline for postseason eligibility. The 36-year-old joins a Dodgers team that finished August with a 23-6 record and stands 10 1/2 games ahead of second-place Arizona in the National League West.

The news is not nearly as positive in San Diego, where injuries continue to plague the lowly Padres. San Diego has already lost catcher Yasmani Grandal and outfielders Cameron Maybin and Carlos Quentin to season-ending injuries, and first baseman Yonder Alonso is expected to miss the next 7-to-10 days with soreness in his right hand. Third baseman Chase Headley has missed the last three games with a stiff back, but could return for Sunday’s series finale.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FSN (San Diego), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Tyson Ross (3-7, 3.05 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Zack Greinke (13-3, 2.86)

After recording five consecutive quality starts, Ross has struggled in his last two outings. He’s 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA in three career appearances (one start) against the Dodgers. The 26-year-old Ross, who was acquired from Oakland last November, yielded six runs (four earned) over six innings against Arizona last Monday.

Greinke came within one out of a complete game against the Cubs last Monday, when he struck out nine batters and recorded his sixth consecutive quality start. “He was throwing a bullpen session there for a little while, hitting all of his spots whenever he wanted to," said Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo. The 29-year-old is 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA in three career starts against the Padres.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Dodgers sent Double-A LHP Rob Rasmussen to the Phillies in exchange for Young.

2. OF Will Venable hit safely in 24 of 26 games in August and finished the month with eight home runs among his 40 hits.

3. Dodgers OF Matt Kemp will extend his minor league rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga after going 0-for-11 with five strikeouts in his first three games.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Padres 2