SAN DIEGO -- The Dodgers conclude their brief five-game road trip with a weekend series at what has become a home away from home in recent seasons, at Petco Park. The Dodgers haven't lost a road series against the Padres in four seasons.
The Dodgers are 22-12 at Petco Park since the beginning of the 2011 season, with their last series loss a three-game sweep from Sep. 6-8, 2010. Since then there was one four-game series split (winning the final two games in June 2012 to start the historic 42-8 run) and one two-game split, and methodical, sustained success in the other games.
There have been no sweeps, but the Dodgers have won eight three-game series and a four-game series during that span.
In each of the last seven series at Petco Park, the Dodgers have lost the opening game of the series, only to go on to either win or split the series.
It wasn't always this way. From 2005-2007 the Dodgers were 10-17 at Petco Park, and as a San Diego resident at the time I saw a dozen straight losses in person. But with the recent success in San Diego the Dodgers have improved their record at Petco Park to 50-47.
Trying to continue that success in San Diego, and perhaps trying to stop the opening-game skid, is Dan Haren, who has been on the good side of very effective vs. terrible in three of his last four starts.
In two starts against the Padres this season, Haren has allowed four total runs (three earned) in 11⅔ innings, with 11 strikeouts and two walks.
Andrew Cashner makes his second star for the Padres after missing two months with right shoulder soreness. In seven home starts this season, the Padres' right-hander has allowed seven total earned runs (and 10 runs overall), and opposing batters against him at Petco are hitting .204/.264/.246.
Game info
Time: 7:10 p.m. PT
TV: SportsNet LA