Series preview: Can Padres spoil Dodgers’ NL West chances?

San Diego Padres (78-78) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (100-56), September 28-30, 2021

Location: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

TV: Bally Sports San Diego

Radio: KWFN, XEMO

Dodgers SB Nation Site: True Blue LA

The Padres head back to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers for the final time in 2021.

Here’s a look at what we can expect this week:

Projected Starters

Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. PST

Yu Darvish (8-10, 4.21 ERA) vs. Walker Buehler (14-4, 2.58 ERA)

Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. PST

TBD vs. Max Scherzer (15-4, 2.28 ERA)

Thursday, 7:10 p.m. PST

TBD vs. Tony Gonsolin (4-1, 3.00 ERA)

Projected Lineups

Padres

1. Adam Frazier (2B)
2. Fernando Tatis Jr. (RF)
3. Manny Machado (3B)
4. Jake Cronenworth (SS)
5. Eric Hosmer (1B)
6. Wil Myers (LF)
7. Trent Grisham (CF)
8. Victor Caratini (C)
9. Starting Pitcher

Dodgers

1. Mookie Betts (RF)
2. Corey Seager (SS)
3. Trea Turner (2B)
4. Max Muncy (1B)
5. Will Smith (C)
6. Justin Turner (3B)
7. Chris Taylor (LF)
8. Gavin Lux (CF)
9. Starting Pitcher

Even though the Padres walk into this series with nothing to play for to help them, they can spoil the Dodgers’ chances at clinching the NL West.

The Dodgers sit just two games behind the San Francisco Giants and need to gain ground if they don’t want to face a one-game Wild Card that could end their postseason run prematurely.

Yu Darvish is the only pitcher set in stone for the series in what could be his final start of 2021.

Even though the frustrating September has rained on the Padres’ parade, beating the Dodgers is always a good thing.