Dodgers @ Padres April 18, 2021: Looking for a sweep in San Diego

Now winners of eight straight games, the Dodgers look to keep the streak alive Saturday afternoon as the face the Padres in the finale of this weekend series before heading north to face the Mariners for two and then returning home for four more of these games against San Diego.

Before getting into today’s game, just a little more detail on Mookie Betts‘ catch last night.

It looked good, and it felt good, and oh, boy was it good.

He got a jump of +8 feet better than avg in the right direction (in the first 3 seconds). You don't do that, you don't come close. https://t.co/weqIHWSwhv

— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) April 18, 2021

This afternoon it’ll be Trevor Bauer and Blake Snell. For Snell, it’s his first outing since he lasted just 2/3 of an inning against the Pirates on Tuesday. You may have seen, he wasn’t very thrilled about it.

Blake Snell was just pulled in the first inning, after allowed six straight baserunners with two outs.

Considering he's literally famous for being pulled early, he doesn't look happy….

pic.twitter.com/sHo4W9skpi

— Very Baseball Moments (@verymlb) April 13, 2021

In his first two starts of the season against Arizona and San Francisco, Snell three 9 2/3 innings, striking out 16 to six walks. He’d only allowed two runs, a two-run homer for Darin Ruf, in those outings before he was charged with three against Pittsburgh.

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As for the rest of today’s lineups, the Padres scratched Trent Grisham with left quad tightness and the Dodgers have added a new name to their lineup, likely the reason the lineup came out a bit later today.

	1:10 p.m.		San Diego
RF	Betts	RF	Profar (S)
SS	Seager (L)	2B	Cronenworth (L)
3B	Turner	SS	Tatis Jr.
C	Smith	3B	Machado
CF	Taylor	1B	Hosmer (L)
1B	Muncy (L)	LF	Pham
LF	Pollock	CF	Mateo
2B	Neuse	C	Caratini (S)
P	Bauer (R)	P	Snell (L)

Gavin Lux is headed to the IL with a right wrist injury retroactive to Friday. Sheldon Neuse has been called up to take his roster spot and start at second base today. Added in a deal that sent Oakland Adam Kolarek and Cody Thomas, Neuse had 61 PAs for the A’s last season.

#Dodgers Gavin Lux was just on the field taking ground balls and throwing. Swinging a bat is the issue, Roberts said. He expects Lux to be ready to return when eligible one week from tomorrow.

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) April 18, 2021

Also, Brusdar Graterol is back with the Dodgers after spending the first few weeks on the IL.

Dave Roberts said the Dodgers activated Brusdar Graterol and optioned Alex Vesia.

— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) April 18, 2021

Alex Vesia, acquired in the deal that sent Dylan Floro to Miami, spent just one day on the major league roster after being recalled on Saturday.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers placed Ashton Goudeau on waivers and he was claimed by Colorado. Goudeau was just added about a week ago when the Dodgers claimed him from San Francisco, but now he is headed back to Colorado, where he pitched last season.

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Just to check in on the insane pace of the Dodgers’ lineup, here’s where a few of them ranking going into Sunday’s game.

For Justin Turner specifically, he’s playing as well as just about anyone in the league.

Going into Sunday's game, #Dodgers Justin Turner is fourth in MLB in batting average (.426), tied for 1st in NL in RBI (16), 2nd in extra-base hits (11), hits (23), doubles (6), slugging percentage (.815) and OPS (1.281), fourth in on-base percentage (.467)

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) April 18, 2021

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First pitch of the series finale is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. PST on Sportsnet LA.