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Yasiel Puig will get the night off for the Dodgers on Saturday night against the Padres. Manager Dave Roberts said he wants Puig to take a break from the slump he is currently in.
"It's more about getting Yasiel a day," said Roberts. "I thought he needed a night to clear his mind."
Since starting the season on a tear, Puig has cooled off considerably at the plate. Over the last 14 games, the 25-year-old is only 7-for-51 (.137) with one home run and 15 strikeouts. Puig started 22 of the Dodgers' first 24 games and had been hitting .405 (15-for-37) through the team's first 10 games.
The Dodgers are trying to avoid their first six-game losing streak since May 1-10, 2013 when they lost eight straight. A loss would also mean the Dodgers' first losing month since May of 2013.
Kiké Hernandez will patrol right field in his fifth start in 2016 against a right-handed starter. While Hernandez crushes left-handers, the super sub is only 5-for-31 (.161) against right-handers in 2016.
Corey Seager has hit safely in nine of his 10 career games against the Padres, going 15-for-39 (.385) with five doubles, a homer and seven RBI. Overall, the 22-year-old is batting .306 (11-for-36) with two doubles, a triple, a homer and five RBI since April 21, hitting safely in eight of nine games in that span.
Ross Stripling will make his fifth career start tonight in search of his first big league win. The 26-year-old has allowed three or fewer runs in all four of his starts, while limiting opponents to a .229 batting average (19-for-83).
Chase Utley entered 2016 having made just 11 starts at the leadoff spot in his first 13 big league seasons, but Saturday will be the veteran's 19th start there this season. Utley is hitting .291 (23-for-79) and has one of the Majors’ best on-base percentages (.378) from the top spot, which is good for sixth best in the league.
Colin Rea has started one game in his career against the Dodgers, limiting them to two runs while striking out six in a no-decision in September 2015. The right-hander also allowed a run in an inning of relief in the Dodgers 15-0 win opening day this season at Petco Park.