The Dodgers limp down to San Diego for a weekend series at Petco Park, in what seems like a lifetime since the last time they were there and outscored the Padres 25-0 in the season-opening series. Here is a look at the probable starting pitching matchups for the weekend.
Friday, 7:40 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA)
Scott Kazmir is coming off his longest outing in two years, lasting 8⅔ innings against the Cardinals on Saturday. His last four starts have been an improvement over his first four, going from a 6.63 ERA ad 15 strikeouts in 19 innings to 3.67 with 28 strikeouts and just seven walks in 27 innings. He pitched six scoreless innings in his Dodgers debut on April 5 at Petco Park, retiring the final 17 batters he faced.
Former Rockies left-hander Christian Friedrich made his Padres debut last Friday in Milwaukee, taking a hard-luck 1-0 loss despite allowing just one run in six innings, though he did walk more (six) than he struck out (four). One of the walks was intentional. He is holding the rotation spot of Andrew Cashner, who is on the disabled list with a strained hamstring.
Saturday, 7:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA, MLB Network)
Dodgers-Padres
Dodgers-Padres
You can't swing a dead cat without someone bringing up home and road splits when it comes to Alex Wood. I have been guilty of it myself numerous times. Since joining the Dodgers last July 30, Wood is 9-for-9 in quality starts at home with a 1.95 ERA at Dodger Stadium, compared to a 6.79 ERA and one quality start in 11 outings on the road. But his one shining beacon of gray uniform success came in San Diego, with seven scoreless innings at Petco Park last Sept. 5.
Cesar Vargas has a 3.55 ERA in his first five major league starts, but has also lasted six innings just once in five tries. He pitched 5⅓ scoreless innings in a no-decision at Dodger Stadium on Apr. 29, a game San Diego eventually won 5-1.
Sunday, 1:40 p.m. (SportsNet LA)
After allowing a single run in his first four major league starts, Kenta Maeda has allowed a crooked number of runs in an inning once in each of his last four starts, including at least three runs in an inning three times. Since hitting a home run in his second major league at-bat on April 6 at Petco Park, Maeda is 1-for-12 with three strikeouts.
Colin Rea will start Sunday on four days rest. In three starts on regular four days rest in 2016, the right-hander has a 1.80 ERA with 13 strikeouts and five walks in 20 innings.