Padres Preview 09/01: Dinelson Lamet faces off against Clayton Kershaw

The first-place Dodgers will return to Petco Park to face off against a Padres team coming off a series win against the last-place Giants.

Dinelson Lamet (7-5, 4.60 ERA) has scuffled in his rookie campaign but is having a late-season surge with a 2.63 ERA in his past seven starts. Lamet went six innings and allowed only one run on four hits with no decision against the Miami Marlins in his last start. In his first start against the Trolley Dodgers Lamet will also get the benefit of facing a Los Angeles team that has hit its first rough patch this season, coming into Petco Park with a five game losing streak after stinking it up against rival Arizona.

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The NL West-leading Dodgers will be happy to welcome back ace Clayton Kershaw (15-2, 2.04 ERA) though the Padres should be happy to hear Kershaw may be on a five inning or 75-pitch limit according to Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts. The Friars will need to take advantage wherever they can get it against Clayton: he’s only allowed two earned runs in 14 ¹⁄₃ innings in two starts this year and owns a 16-6 2.00 ERA career mark facing San Diego. The Dodgers will also have Cody Bellinger back from the DL: he’s currently hitting .412 with four homers this season against the Padres.

Today’s game marks the 1st of September (my favorite month) and the beginning of expanded rosters. Expect to see plenty of familiar faces from the farm and rookies ready for their cup of coffee on both teams this series thanks to a double-header tomorrow in the expanded 4 game set. Here’s hoping the Padres take advantage of a lefty shaking off injury and a team backsliding for some September wins! Tonight’s NL West action picks up at 7:10 PM Left Coast Time.

Game Time: 7:10 PM PST
TV: FSSD, Fox Sports Deportes (Spanish)
Radio: 94.9 FM, XEMO 860 (Español)