Padres @ Dodgers July 4, 2019: Fourth of July for fourth consecutive win

After their fifth straight walk-off win at home, the Dodgers are now a ridiculous 59-29. That’s a 109 win pace, which basically translates into — they’re really really good. They’ve still only lost nine games at home this season (36-9), winning 80% of their home games.

This is the opener of a four game series against the San Diego Padres (42-44). The Padres are only two games behind the Rockies for second place in the NL West, but that also means they’re only 16 games back in the division. Hyun-Jin Ryu will take the mound today against Dinelson Lamet.

	Padres			Dodgers
	6:10 p.m.			Los Angeles
SS	Tatis Jr.		1B	Pederson
1B	Hosmer		CF	Verdugo
3B	Machado		3B	Turner
RF	Reyes		RF	Bellinger
LF	Renfroe		2B	Muncy
CF	Myers		LF	Beaty
2B	Kinsler		SS	Taylor
C	Hedges		C	Martin
P	Lamet (R)		P	Ryu (R)

Justin Turner is starting at third base, returning to the starting lineup as he was hit by a pitch on his elbow on Sunday’s game. He pinch hit last night, so Max Muncy moves back to second, meaning Enrique Hernandez will be available off the bench.

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Dinelson Lamet is making his first MLB appearance since September 26, 2017 — interestingly, against the Dodgers. The 26 year-old right hander had Tommy John surgery roughly 15 months ago and after 24 innings in the minors this season, he’s ready to make his return. Throughout his entire career in the majors and minors, he’s always been a high strikeout high walk pitcher. He’s talented and had overpowering stuff, but often times had issues with control. I don’t know what his velocity has looked like this season, but in 2017 he sat 94-96 with his fastball, frequently (39.7%) throwing a slider in the mid 80’s. He had 33 strikeouts and nine walks over his 24 innings across A+ and AAA this season. He also hit a batter and threw four wild pitches, so we’ll see how he fares in his return against a patient Dodgers offense.

Ryu has been fantastic this season, although he’s coming off a very rough outing at Coors Field. He allowed seven runs over four innings on nine hits and three homers. Here’s where he sits among 79 qualified starters.

He’s good.

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Your #RCQuakes are in San Bernardino tonight and this guy is scheduled to be in the lineup. #POLLO pic.twitter.com/Y7GIyaHYdB

— Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (@RCQuakes) July 4, 2019

A.J. Pollock still seems to be on pace for a return after the All-Star break. The team is 30 games over .500 with only 115 plate appearances from their starting center fielder.

#Dodgers Dave Roberts said a decision on when Corey Seager will be activated is in the final stages. Yesterday he said a return before A-S break was “unlikely but possible.” That might be tilting.

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 4, 2019

Corey Seager seems to be making great progress as well. It just goes to speak even more of the Dodgers depth, to have played so well with their starting center fielder and short stop missing huge chunks of the season.

#Dodgers Joc Pederson said he wanted Johnny Washington to throw to him in HR Derby again. Washington was coach in LAD system. Threw to Joc in 2015 Derby. But Washington is #Padres hitting coach now and "it did not go over well on their side so he will not be pitching to me."

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 4, 2019

This is less important, but still entertaining nonetheless.

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First pitch is at 6:10 PT on SNLA or MLB Network. Stay safe out there and Happy Fourth!