MLB Preview – Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres

This afternoon, the star-studded Los Angeles Dodgers finish a three game series against the struggling San Diego Padres in San Diego. These teams split the first two games of the series in this NL West division matchup and look to take the rubber game this afternoon in a duel of left-handed starters at pitcher friendly Petco Park.

It’s been a difficult week for the Padres. Former Padres star hitter Tony Gwynn passed away earlier this week and today team ownership announced today that General Manager Josh Byrnes has been relieved of his duties due to the team’s lack of success. The Padres have not had a winning season since 2010. A series win today against last year’s NL champions would give the Padres a much needed boost as they look to change their fortunes. The odds are against them, however.

Pitching for the visiting Dodgers is 27-year-old South Korean import Hyun-Jin Ryu who has been one of the Dodgers’ quiet heroes since his debut last season. While Ryu does not have the flash of teammates Josh Beckett or Clayton Kershaw, each of whom has thrown a no-hitter this season, he does have an elite changeup that is particularly effective against right-handed hitters. Ryu’s season ERA of 3.18 is likely to improve with todays start as Petco Park is known for suppressing offense and the Padres have struggled with the bat even when away from home.

Padres’ starter Eric Stults has had a poor start to the season, with a 5.76 ERA and averaging only 5 innings pitched per start. While Stults has pinpoint control, issuing only one BB per start on average, he has been unable to get batters to make weak contact. Hitters have a .322 average against Stults and have been able to knock the ball out against him 15 times across his 15 starts.

The brightest star in the Dodgers’ lineup is Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig. After last year’s rookie debut in which he finished second in rookie-of-the-year voting, Puig has continued to crush major league pitching. Puig’s over-the-top playing style and superstar attitude have rubbed some players and fans the wrong way, but so far he has put up superstar numbers, batting .320 with 30 home runs in just over a season’s worth of games between 2013 and 2014. Another bright young star for the Dodgers is 26-year-old 2B Dee Gordon, who leads the major, leagues with 39 stolen bases so far this season. The Dodgers also field a strong array of veterans, including outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, shortstop Hanley Ramirez, and 1B Adrian Gonzalez.

San Diego’s offensive leader is left handed hitting LF Seth Smith who so far has a .522 slugging percentage from 16 doubles, 4 triples, and 8 HR this season. But after Smith, the Padres depth is thin. Switch-hitting 3B Chase Headley has struggled at the plate and with injuries this season and shortstop of the future Jedd Gyorko is currently on the disabled list with foot problems.