Preview: Bolsinger And Shields Face Off As Dodgers Look For Series Win

After splitting the first two games of the series, the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers hope to leave the San Diego with yet another series win over the Padres.

Mike Bolsinger is back on the mound following a strong outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks where he pitched seven innings, struck out out 10, and allowed just three hits. The right-hander is a much better pitcher at home, however. In his one start against the Padres this season, he threw eight shutout innings, allowing just one hit.

Opposing Bolsinger is James Shields, who has a surprising record of 7-0 despite having a 3.79 ERA. In 10 of his 13 appearances this season, Shields has allowed a home run and has yet to have a shoutout outing.

The Dodgers have beaten the Padres seven of 11 games, however, Los Angeles has only outscored them 43 to 42. These two teams will play each other seven more times after this series is over.

Former Dodger Matt kemp has been quiet this series, going just 1-for-7 with one RBI. While he is hitting .325 against the Dodgers, he is batting just .246 on the year with two home runs and 33 RBIs. Although Joc Pederson is hitting just two points higher than Kemp and driven in the same amount of runs, he has a wRC (runs created) of 45 compared to Kemp’s 22.

Adrian Gonzalez is looking to get back on track against his former club after combining to go 1-for-8 through the first two ames of the series. Gonzalez is batting .390 (16-for-41) with six home runs, three doubles and 11 RBIs in 11 games against the Padres this year.

Gonzalez’s .326 career batting average (73-for-224) in 58 games against San Diego ranks fourth-best among active players. Interestingly, Carl Crawford leads that group with a .342 average. He of course is unavailable as he recovers from a torn oblique injury.

The Dodgers will head from San Diego to Texas for a quick two-game set in the Lone Star state before returning home to play two more with the Rangers.

Dodgers Lineup:

CF: Joc Pederson

RF: Yasiel Puig

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

2B: Howie Kendrick

C: Yasmani Grandal

LF: Andre Ethier

SS: Jimmy Rollins

3B: Alberto Callaspo

P: Mike Bolsinger

Padres Lineup:

CF: Will Venable

3B: Yangervis Solarte

LF: Justin Upton

RF: Matt Kemp

1B: Yonder Alonso

C: Derek Norris

2B: Cory Spangenberg

SS: Alexi Amarista

P: James Shields

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