Padres @ Dodgers August 13, 2017: Perdomo vs Maeda

Now here’s something a bit unusual for the 2017 Dodgers: A rubber match. The last time the Dodgers lost a series was in early June, and they’re playing the Padres with that streak at risk this afternoon. Kenta Maeda will pitch for the Dodgers and attempt to continue that streak and build on a run of very good pitching. Maeda’s last bad start was against the Padres a little over a month ago, and since then he’s pitched 5 games with a 1.33 ERA and a 3.10 FIP. He’s struck out 24 and walked 7 in that 27 inning span, and critically, has surrendered just two home runs. Of course, these Padres were the last team to give him a hard time before that span started, but hopefully he stays in attack mode like he has been in the past few outings.

Facing the Dodgers will be the right-handed Luis Perdomo, who unlike Maeda is not building upon a good five start run; in the same stretch he has a 5.67 ERA. Perdomo relies heavily upon his sinker and curve, and while his results with them have not been good he has at least enjoyed a very high ground ball rate. He’s the type of pitcher who can randomly have a good game if all of those ground balls find gloves, but if they don’t it could be a long day for him. That ground ball rate has also led to good home run suppression, so the Dodgers may need to change their normal approach a bit for success today.

Before today’s game, the Dodgers optioned Kyle Farmer in order to recall Chris Hatcher. Farmer only got 10 plate appearances in his brief time in the majors which resulted in a .400/.400/.500 batting line, though he was a little unlucky as two very well-struck balls he hit this weekend didn’t quite make it over the fence. He’ll be back when rosters expand in two weeks. Meanwhile, Hatcher may well be pitching for his job as the Dodgers dig for 40-man roster spots in the next few weeks. This has been said before, obviously, so we’ll see what actually happens.