The Dodgers have not played the Padres since April 2, their fifth game of the season.
I have no idea how the Dodgers are going to top the pitching performance of Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter on Wednesday, but then again in the game after their last no-hitter they had a perfect game into the eighth inning. Here is a look at the starting pitching matchups for the three games this weekend against the Padres in San Diego.
With Thursday's off day, all three Dodgers starters head into the weekend pitching on five days rest.
Friday, 7:10 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA)
In his last start, Dan Haren struck out two Diamondbacks. In his start before that he struck out two Reds, and before that he struck out two White Sox. In his start before that, he struck out two Pirates. You see where this is going. Eight strikeouts in 99 batters faced won't get it done, especially with six home runs allowed and a 4.56 ERA during that span. That said, Haren has won his last two starts, so what do I know?
Ian Kennedy stands at 5-8 with a below-average 3.72 ERA but has 98 strikeouts and only 24 walks in 92 innings. His FIP (3.09), FIP (3.13), xFIP (3.10) and strikeout rate (25.9 percent) are career highs, better than his 21-win 2011 season that saw him finish fourth in National League Cy Young Award balloting.
Saturday, 7:10 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA)
No longer the only Dodger to turn around when someone yells "No hitter guy" in the clubhouse, Josh Beckett takes a 15-inning road scoreless streak into his Saturday start at Petco Park. Beckett has allowed no runs in three of his five road starts this season. Tyson Ross has a 2.33 ERA in seven home starts this season with 51 strikeouts in 46⅓ innings, but has allowed five or more runs in three of his last five starts overall.
Sunday, 1:10 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA)
Hyun-jin Ryu has taken the mound in 44 different innings on the road this year, and 40 of them have been scoreless. He has a 1.64 ERA away from home with 39 strikeouts and 11 walks, and has allowed one run in two career starts against the Padres. Old friend Eric Stults has lost six straight decisions and is tied for the major league lead with nine losses to go with a 5.76 ERA. The left-hander hasn't been saved by the refuge of the pitcher-friendly Petco Park of late, allowing 16 runs in his last 17⅔ innings at home.