Dodgers at Padres
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts may have entered this week under the impression Cody Bellinger was headed back to the minors, but the 21-year-old is only strengthening his case as to why he should stay right where he is. The red-hot first baseman looks to continue tormenting the host San Diego Padres on Sunday, when the Dodgers attempt to complete their second sweep in three series.
Bellinger was expected to be the odd man out once center fielder Joc Pederson came off the disabled list, but veteran first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (back, elbow) decided to go on the DL for the first time in his career - in part due to how well his likely successor was playing. The rookie, who batted .303 with two homers and five RBIs over his first nine contests, has taken it to another level in his first two games against the Padres, going 5-for-9 with three home runs and nine RBIs after belting a grand slam in Saturday's 10-2 victory. After averaging 7.7 runs during a three-game winning streak, San Diego has totaled nine runs during a four-game slide and ranks 13th in the National League with 117 overall. Offense has been particularly hard to come by this season when they face the Dodgers, who have won five of the six meetings by a combined 45-14 tally.
TV: 4:40 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA, KTLA (Los Angeles), FSN San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Brandon McCarthy (3-0, 3.10 ERA) vs. Padres RH Trevor Cahill (2-2, 3.60)
McCarthy turned in his worst effort of the season on April 29 against Philadelphia but escaped with a no-decision despite allowing season highs in runs (four) and hits (eight) while striking out a season-low three over five innings. The 33-year-old journeyman was pushed back a day in order to recover from a left shoulder injury he reportedly suffered in a weight-room incident. McCarthy has enjoyed much success in his career versus the Padres, going 8-1 with a 3.79 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 10 starts against them.
Cahill claimed his second victory in as many decisions with his finest performance of the season Tuesday against Colorado, permitting an unearned run and three hits with no walks across six innings. While the 29-year-old hasn't fared particularly well on the road (0-2, 5.82 ERA), he is 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA at Petco Park in 2017, allowing no more than one run or three hits in either home outing. Cahill took the loss against the Dodgers in his season debut on April 5, giving up three runs - two earned - in 5 2/3 frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Bellinger's 14 RBIs are the most by a Dodgers' player in his first 11 career games since RBIs became an official stat in 1920.
2. San Diego 3B Ryan Schimpf has recorded only 14 hits in 90 at-bats this season, but a team-high eight of those are home runs.
3. Los Angeles 3B Justin Turner is batting a major league-best .418 against right-handers in 2017.