Dodgers at Padres
After using five relievers in their season-opening win, the Dodgers hope Chad Billingsley delivers a quality outing against host San Diego. Los Angeles won the opener despite an early exit by Clayton Kershaw, who tossed three shutout innings before leaving with the stomach flu.
The Dodgers continued their dominance against San Diego after going 13-5 against the Padres last season, including 6-3 at Petco Park. The Padres committed three errors in the opener and managed just five hits, although one was a 445-foot home run by Cameron Maybin.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, KCAL (Los Angeles), Fox Sports San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Chad Billingsley (2011: 11-11, 4.21 ERA) at Padres LH Cory Luebke (2011: 6-10, 3.29 ERA)
Billingsley, one of only three National League pitchers to have won 10 or more games in each of the past five seasons, is 11-8 lifetime against the Padres with a 2.79 ERA in 25 games, including 21 starts. He was 1-1 against the Padres last season with a 1.38 ERA in two starts. Chase Headley is 8-for-36 (.222) with 10 strikeouts against Billingsley.
Luebke was a pleasant surprise last season when he struck out 154 against just 44 walks over 139 2/3 innings. He is 1-2 lifetime against the Dodgers with a 3.09 ERA in four games (three starts). James Loney is 1-for-7 with four strikeouts against Luebke.
WALK-OFFS
1. After an impressive spring training, Dodgers shortstop Dee Gordon went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts in the opener.
2. San Diego pitcher Tim Stauffer (right elbow strain) was placed the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 4.
3. With his two-run blast in the opener, Matt Kemp became the only right-handed hitter with two opposite field homers at Petco Park since the start of the 2009 season.