Los Angeles @ San Diego preview
PETCO Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 21, 2013 ) LA Dodgers 4, San Diego 0
With the division title already wrapped up, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue their quest for the best record in the National League when they visit the San Diego Padres for the rubber match of their three-game series. Los Angeles clinched the NL West title with a victory at Arizona on Thursday and, after splitting the first two contests against San Diego, trails Atlanta by 2 1/2 games for the top record in the NL. The Dodgers also are two games behind St. Louis and share the identical record of 89-66 with Pittsburgh.
After dropping a 2-0 decision to the Padres in the opener while resting many of its regulars, Los Angeles bounced back to post a 4-0 triumph on Saturday. Clayton Kershaw strengthened his chances for the Cy Young Award, striking out 10 over seven innings while combining with two relievers on a three-hitter, while A.J. Ellis and Yasiel Puig hit two-run homers. The loss was just the second in seven contests and 82nd of the season for San Diego, guaranteeing the club its third consecutive losing campaign.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), FSN (San Diego)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Zack Greinke (15-3, 2.75 ERA) vs. Padres RH Andrew Cashner (10-8, 3.21)
Greinke looks to extend his career-best winning streak to eight games and his stretch of allowing fewer than three runs to 11 starts. The 29-year-old worked six solid innings at Arizona on Tuesday, yielding two runs and six hits as his unbeaten streak reached 10 outings. Greinke improved to 3-0 lifetime against the Padres on Sept. 1, when he gave up one run and two hits over seven frames.
Cashner is coming off his first career complete game, a one-hit shutout at Pittsburgh on Monday. The 27-year-old has been superb over his last five starts, allowing a total of four earned runs in 37 2/3 innings while going 2-1. Cashner settled for a no-decision at Los Angeles on Aug. 31 despite yielding only one run in seven frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Dodgers are 3-3 on their 10-game road trip, which concludes with a three-game series at San Francisco.
2. San Diego's final homestand continues Monday with a four-game set against Arizona. The Padres visit the Giants for their final three contests of the season.
3. Los Angeles OF Andre Ethier (ankle) has missed eight straight games, while SS Hanley Ramirez (hamstring/back) has sat out two contests in a row.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Padres 0