Preview: Yasmani Grandal Makes First Visit To San Diego Since Trade

Looking to get back on track following a three-game sweep at the hands of the San Francisco Giants, the Los Angeles Dodgers head to Petco Park for the first time this season to face the San Diego Padres.

Both teams enter Friday’s contest tied for first place in the National League West; the Dodgers with a 9-6 record, while the Padres boast the most wins in the division at 10-7.

Zack Greinke makes his fourth start of the season and second against the Padres. In his previous outing against San Diego on April 7, he allowed just one run and three total baserunners in six innings pitched.

Throughout his career, Greinke has pitched to a 1.80 ERA and 0.72 WHIP in 50 innings against the Padres. He’s been even more impressive at Petco Park, posting a 1.74 ERA and 28-to-1 K/BB ratio in 31 innings pitched.

Since beginning his career with the Dodgers in 2013, Greinke owns a 20-1 record against National League West opponents (1.90 ERA in 30 starts) and has won 14 consecutive decisions.

Taking the hill for the Padres is right-hander Andrew Cashner, who makes his second start of the season against the Dodgers. In his previous outing against Los Angeles, he allowed 11 total baserunners and five earned runs, including three home runs to Adrian Gonzalez in just five innings pitched.

Over his career, Cashner is 1-3 with a 2.17 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 58 innings pitched against the Dodgers, and that includes his shaky start back on April 8 at Dodger Stadium. Friday’s game is Yasmani Grandal’s first time back at Petco Park since being traded during the offseason.

During his three seasons in San Diego, Grandal posted a .763 OPS and 121 OPS+ in 777 plate appearances, quietly making him one of the better offensively-productive catchers in the National League.

In his career at Petco Park, Grandal has 11 home runs and owns a batting line of .230/.342/.382 in 392 plate appearances.

While batting from the left side, Grandal’s slash line of .229/.335/.377 looks rather weak when compared to his line as a right-handed batter (.245/.351/.413). Not surprisingly, 20 of his career home runs have come from the right side of the batter’s box, while only five were slugged when he bats left-handed.

Grandal looks to get revenge against his former club, as he was held to zero hits in eight plate appearances during the first series of the season, though he did manage to draw three walks. Additionally, Grandal and Greinke look to continue with their strong chemistry this season.

Dodgers Lineup:

SS: Jimmy Rollins

RF: Yasiel Puig

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

2B: Howie Kendrick

C: Yasmani Grandal

LF: Carl Crawford

3B: Juan Uribe

CF: Joc Pederson

P: Zack Greinke

Padres Lineup:

CF: Wil Myers

2B: Cory Spangenberg

RF: Matt Kemp

LF: Justin Upton

1B: Yonder Alonso

C: Derek Norris

3B: Will Middlebrooks

SS: Alexi Amarista

P: Andrew Cashner

Zack Greinke Praises Yasmnai Grandal