Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers have jumped out to an MLB-best 11-2 record this season, which is the best start for any defending World Series champion through the first 13 games.
The club posted a perfect 6-0 record on their opening homestand and now head back on the road for the start of a three-game series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Both teams enter Friday’s opener with the top-2 win totals in the National League and are separated by just 2.5 games in the standings.
The Padres roster will look considerably different from their previous meeting with the Dodgers in the 2020 NL Division Series after an aggressive offseason that saw them acquire the likes of Yu Darvish, Blake Snell and Joe Musgrove.
“It was exciting watching what they were doing. I think it’s good for the game of baseball. They’re going out and being aggressive and going for it. It’s good to see teams doing that,” Justin Turner said of the Padres during Spring Training.
“I think the way I look at it — now that I’m back here with the Dodgers — is we’re going to get 19 World Series games this year, so it will be a good test for us and good preparation to get ready for the playoffs.”
While Musgrove isn’t expected to pitch this weekend, the Dodgers will get their first look at Snell and Darvish in a Padres uniform. Snell matches up against Clayton Kershaw on Saturday, and Trevor Bauer will oppose Darvish in the series finale.
Bauer, who also is new to the Dodgers-Padres rivalry, previously expressed his excitement to face Manny Machado. Machado historically has gotten the best of Bauer, so the right-hander will look to flip the script this season.
Bellinger likely to miss Padres series
While the Padres are expected to get back Fernando Tatis Jr. for Friday’s opener against the Dodgers, Cody Bellinger likely won’t play in the series at all.
“He’s doing a lot of work down below with the trainers and strength guys. [Tuesday] he did some running, some swinging,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said this week.
“There’s some swelling that’s healing as far as the discoloration of the leg, but right now he’s just not where we feel he can go full bore. I know I keep saying day-to-day, I just really don’t know when the timetable would be to return.”
In addition to Bellinger potentially being a non-factor, Gavin Lux and AJ Pollock are considered day-to-day for this weekend’s series against the Padres as well.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, participate in our shows and giveaways, and more!
