Dodgers need offense to start faster

The Dodgers will look to its offense as it starts a three-game series against the Padres at Petco Park, with the winner of the series ending the weekend in first place in the National League West.

After scoring two runs in each of their three losses in San Francisco, the Dodgers will try to get off to a fast start in San Diego. The Dodgers are 4-1 when scoring first this season, but that also means their opponent has scored first in 10 of their 15 games.

The Dodgers have been outscored 11-7 in the first inning this season, including 4-1 by the Padres in the opening series of the year at Dodger Stadium, allowing at least a run in the first inning in all three games.

The Dodgers in the first inning are hitting .232/.295/.375 in the first inning this year, an OPS that ranks 10th in the National League. The NL as a whole is hitting .261/.325/.430 in the opening frame.

Though despite the first-inning problems, the Dodgers have recovered to outscore their opponents in second, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth innings.

Looking at the National League as a whole, offense tends to be stronger in the middle innings, which makes sense because the first three innings feature a starting pitcher at his best and least tired, while the late innings generally feature the best relievers.

The Dodgers' offense in the early going has feasted in the middle innings, outscoring opponents 31-19 from innings four through six, hitting .308/.386/.593 with 11 home runs in 15 games during those frames.

Game info

Time: 7:10 p.m. PT

TV: SportsNet LA