Game Preview: Dodgers Host Padres Trying to Turn Things Around

San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers

Time: 7:10 PM PT

Venue: Dodger Stadium

San Diego Record: 50-80

Los Angeles Record: 67-61

How are the Dodgers Doing?

The Dodgers are coming off a three game sweep at home against the Cardinals. Kenley Jansen took home the loss in two of those games as he returned from his irregular heartbeat. The offense mustard just six runs the entire series and has lost 12 of their last 18 games.

Why is this Game Important?

Even with their struggles, there is a level of optimism in Los Angeles. They open a series against San Diego, a team the have beaten nine out of 13 times this season. They follow this series by playing two games against the last-place Rangers. The Diamondbacks face the Mariners and the Rockies face the Cardinals this week. With the Dodgers trailing Arizona by 4.5 games and Colorado by 3.5 games, Los Angeles can inch closer to the race by the end of this weekend.

Pitching Matchup

Rich Hill (5-4, 3.73 ERA) vs Clayton Richard (7-10, 5.11 ERA)

Rich Hill gave up five free passes in his last start against the Mariners. That was the most walks he had allowed since May 2017, when he allowed seven against the Cardinals. Hill has thrown the ball fairly well of late, winning his last three decisions. His last defeat came on July 10 against the Padres.

Clayton Richard makes his 25th start against the Dodgers in his career. His lifetime numbers against Los Angeles are 7-8 with a 4.51 ERA. He faced the Dodgers once this year, taking the loss after allowing four runs in six innings. He has allowed at least five runs in four of his last six games.

Matchup of the Day

Yasiel Puig vs Clayton Richard

Back on June 4, 2013, Yasiel Puig hit his first career home run against none other than Clayton Richard. Puig and Richard are the only players from the lineup that day that remain on their respective ballclubs. In his career against Richards, Puig is batting .318 with two home runs.

Vegas Odds

Odds Sharks

Moneyline Consensus

Dodgers: -240

Padres: +220

FiveThirtyEight

Dodgers: 69% chance of winning

Padres: 31% chance of winning

Fun Fact

Rich Hill and Clayton Richard are the only active Major League pitchers from the University of Michigan.