Dodgers try to end first half with a bang

The Dodgers will attempt to finish off the first half with a win streak as they head into their final two games before the All-Star break. The 2017 Dodgers were the last squad to take a winning streak into the break, with six-straight victories.

Friday night’s 3-2 loss also puts LA in danger of getting their first losing streak to San Diego in over a year. The last time the Dodgers lost two in a row to the Friars came on May 5-6 of 2018. Since then, the Dodgers have a 15-5 record against the division opponent.

A Saturday night win would mean they will avoid a losing streak to the Padres for at least another month.

Helping the Dodgers get back on track will be the not-so-secret weapon Cody Bellinger. Bellinger leads the team in every batting stat and is a main factor to the Dodgers’ recent success.

In the last seven days, Bellinger has three home runs and two doubles for a .280 batting average. He is tied with Joc Pederson for the most hits in this six-game span with seven hits. Pederson is also one of the hot Dodgers, flaunting a .389/.542/.444 slash line since June 29.

The pair will try to continue their recent success against Padres starting pitcher Chris Paddack.

Both Bellinger and Pederson each hit a home run off of Paddack earlier this year in their first time facing the rookie right hander.

Kenta Maeda is probably happy to be at Dodger Stadium, as he is much better at home this season. His 2.05 home ERA is significantly higher than 5.52 on the road. Opposing batters have a 1.67 batting average against Maeda at home, compared to a 2.26 BA at other ballparks.

Game info

Time: 7:10 p.m. PDT

TV: SportsNet LA

Radio: AM 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020 (Spanish)