The Dodgers head into their finale in San Francisco with a rather amazing 20-5 record within the National League West this season. The Dodgers have led three different series 2-0 against NL West opponents, and each time they have won the final game of the series.
Today, Vicente Padilla looks to build on his last start, in which he allowed just two runs in seven innings of work against the Yankees. Aubrey Huff has eight hits in 14 at-bats, with three doubles and a home run against Padilla in his career, hitting .571/.647/1.000. Edgar Renteria has eight hits in 22 at-bats with two home runs, hitting .364/.391/.682.
Jonathan Sanchez, he of the 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings (good for fifth in the National League), takes the hill for the Giants. Matt Kemp has seven hits in 17 at-bats against Sanchez, hitting .412/.500/.529. Russell Martin has six hits, including a home run, in 15 at-bats against Sanchez, hitting .400/.591/.600 against the southpaw.
Furcal On Fire
Rafael Furcal had three hits last night, and now has five multi-hit games in his last six contests. Over his last nine games, Furcal has 18 hits in 40 at-bats, and is hitting .450/.489/.600 with 11 runs scored. He has scored a run in six straight, 10 of his last 11, and 14 of his last 18 games.
Loney Producing
James Loney had two hits and three runs batted in last night, and has been hot for two solid months. I am including April 30 if for no other reason than Loney had a home run and three RBI that night, but his last 55 games Loney has delivered the goods:
G | PA | 2B | HR | RBI | BA/OBP/SLG | OPS | BABIP |
55 | 226 | 16 | 5 | 47 | .300/.363/.465 | .828 | .316 |
On the season, Loney has 22 doubles, and his on pace for 46. Loney and Matt Kemp are the only two Dodgers to play every game this season.
Get your guesses in for Xeifrank's game simulation here.
Game Time: 12:45pm
TV: Prime Ticket