San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions 05-27-2018
27th May 2018 by Gracenote
The San Diego Padres aren't exactly sure what they have in rookie third baseman Christian Villanueva, but they have every reason to be optimistic. The 26-year-old Villanueva looks to build on his impressive start when the Padres visit the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game series.
Villanueva's average fell to .226 following an extended slump earlier this month, but he's rebounded by going 10-for-34 with five home runs in his last 10 games, including two blasts and three RBIs in Saturday's 7-5 victory. San Diego has won eight of its last 13 contests and appears to have found a critical piece of its rebuilding plan in Villanueva, who leads all rookies in home runs (14) and RBIs (31). The Dodgers saw their three-game winning streak come to end Saturday despite solo homers by Chris Taylor and Justin Turner, who belted his first of the season. Los Angeles continues to exercise patience with Yasiel Puig, who is 6-for-32 with runners in scoring position and batting .215 overall after striking out as a pinch-hitter on Saturday.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Matt Strahm (0-2, 4.91 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (2-1, 2.38)
Strahm is set to make his first start as a member of the Padres, who are planning on using multiple relievers to fill in for Joey Lucchesi (right hip strain). "We're probably going to use the whole staff on Sunday," manager Andy Green told reporters. "We think this is the way to go, to leverage off the strength of the bullpen." The 26-year-old Strahm appeared in 24 games (three starts) for Kansas City last season but has struggled out of the bullpen with the Padres, issuing eight walks over 7 1/3 innings in six relief appearances.
Buehler bounced back from a shaky outing against Miami by holding Colorado to one run and two hits in a 2-1 victory on Monday. "They couldn't touch his fastball," Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal told reporters. "He ran through that lineup like not too many people can do." The 23-year-old rookie has been as good as advertised in his first six starts, working at least five innings in every outing while recording 40 strikeouts against nine walks over 34 frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers OF Matt Kemp is 14-for-31 with one homer and eight RBIs in his last nine games.
2. San Diego LHP Brad Hand has held opponents scoreless in 18 of his last 20 appearances.
3. Los Angeles LHP Clayton Kershaw (biceps) threw four innings in a simulated game on Saturday and could rejoin the team as soon as Thursday.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Padres 2
San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 05-27-2018
27th May 2018 by Gracenote
The Chicago Cubs' major offseason signing hasn't yet paid many dividends, and he won't be on the mound as scheduled for the finale of their three-game series against the visiting San Francisco Giants on Sunday night. The Cubs had to shuffle their rotation for the rubber match of the set, as Tyler Chatwood will move up a day after prized free agent Yu Darvish was placed on the 10-day disabled list Saturday with triceps tendinitis.
Chatwood will oppose Ty Blach in the finale after the Giants evened the series with Saturday's 5-4 triumph. Brandon Crawford stayed red-hot for San Francisco, going 2-for-3 with a double and a homer, and is batting .446 with four blasts and 20 RBIs in 23 games this month. The Giants won for just the second time in their last 11 road contests, putting them in position to win their first series at Wrigley Field since 2014. The Cubs have lost five of their last six home games.
TV: 8:08 p.m. ET, ESPN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Ty Blach (3-4, 4.37 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (3-4, 3.74)
Blach has failed to get through the fifth inning in each of his last three starts. The 27-year-old gave up four runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings of a no-decision against Colorado last time out. Blach is 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA in two career starts against the Cubs, both of which occurred last season.
Chatwood's control woes continued in his last start, as he issued six free passes while giving up four runs in just 2 2/3 innings of a loss to Cleveland. The 28-year-old has racked up 40 walks in 45 2/3 frames this season. Chatwood is 7-4 with a 2.84 ERA in 17 career games (16 starts) against the Giants.
Video: Condensed Game: SF@CHC - 5/26/18
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 9-for-32 during his eight-game hitting streak.
2. San Francisco OF Gorkys Hernandez is 13-for-31 during his career high-tying eight-game hitting streak.
3. Chicago recalled LHP Randy Rosario from Triple-A Iowa to take Darvish's spot on the roster but are expected to make another move to fill a spot in the rotation on Tuesday.
PREDICTION: Giants 7, Cubs 6