Dodgers go right-handed heavy in opener with Padres

The Dodgers on Friday night face Christian Friedrich, the first left-handed starter they have faced in 11 games, and accordingly have loaded up on right-handed batters in their series opener against the Padres at Petco Park. Corey Seager is the only left-handed position player starting for Los Angeles on Friday.

The last time the Dodgers faced a southpaw starter was May 9 when Steven Matz of the Mets toed the rubber at Dodger Stadium, the only lefty starter the Dodgers have faced in their last 14 games.

Adrian Gonzalez is out of the lineup as expected for a fourth straight game on Friday night, still dealing with back tightness. Yasmani Grandal gets the start at first base, his second of the year at the position.

A.J. Ellis starts at catcher, his 10th start in 11 games facing left-handed starters this season. The only time Ellis didn't start against a southpaw this season was May 4 in Tampa Bay, but that was the third straight game the Dodgers faced a left-handed starter, so Grandal got the call instead.

Kiké Hernandez gets the call in left field. He's hitting .242/.359/.485 against left-handed pitching this season, but that includs a current slump of 0-for-22 against southpaws. In May, Hernandez is 1-for-24 overall with a walk.

Joc Pederson sits in center field, the 10th time in 11 games he has done so against southpaws. In the one game he did start against a lefty, on May 3 in Tampa Bay, Pederson homered off of Matt Moore. Trayce Thompson gets the call in center for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers are 5-5 in games against left-handed starters this season.

Matt Kemp is out of the Padres lineup after starting 41 of San Diego's 42 games, including each of the last 32 games. Instead, Christian Bethancourt was originally slated to get the call in right field on Friday, the first time in nine seasons as a professional he would have played anywhere but catcher. But he was scratched from the lineup, which now features Jose Pirela in right field, batting seventh.