PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's ESPN Sunday Night MLB Game of Month
(MLB) LA Dodgers vs. San Diego,
Total: 9.50 | -100.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 9.50 | -100.00 Under
Result: Loss
Lots of big-name hitters here facing two over-the-hill starting pitchers.
Sounds like it shouldn't be too difficult for the Dodgers and Padres to reach double-digit runs, right?
Not so fast.
Let's not forget this game is being played at Petco Park, the premier pitching park in the majors.
Lance Lynn and Rich Hill are a combined 79 years old. Neither has good statistics, but they are savvy veterans both acquired at the trade deadline because they know how to navigate through big games such as this one.
Lynn's problem is giving up too many home runs. He's surrendered 31 of them this season. But Lynn also has 151 strikeouts in 126 innings, which comes out to an average of 10.7 per nine innings. So he still can fire.
The Dodgers' bullpen has shown big improvement leading the league with a 2.84 ERA since June 30 entering the weekend.
The underachieving Padres offense ranks 19th in batting average and 13th in runs.
Look for Hill to pitch better going from the Pirates to the Padres. The lefty won't lack motivation with this being his first start for San Diego. The Dodgers rank 24th in batting average versus southpaw pitching.
This is a huge game for the Padres. They have a rested Josh Hader to go two innings if needed.
Sounds like it shouldn't be too difficult for the Dodgers and Padres to reach double-digit runs, right?
Not so fast.
Let's not forget this game is being played at Petco Park, the premier pitching park in the majors.
Lance Lynn and Rich Hill are a combined 79 years old. Neither has good statistics, but they are savvy veterans both acquired at the trade deadline because they know how to navigate through big games such as this one.
Lynn's problem is giving up too many home runs. He's surrendered 31 of them this season. But Lynn also has 151 strikeouts in 126 innings, which comes out to an average of 10.7 per nine innings. So he still can fire.
The Dodgers' bullpen has shown big improvement leading the league with a 2.84 ERA since June 30 entering the weekend.
The underachieving Padres offense ranks 19th in batting average and 13th in runs.
Look for Hill to pitch better going from the Pirates to the Padres. The lefty won't lack motivation with this being his first start for San Diego. The Dodgers rank 24th in batting average versus southpaw pitching.
This is a huge game for the Padres. They have a rested Josh Hader to go two innings if needed.