Dodgers-Padres NLDS Game 3 FAQ (Tue., 9 ET/6 PT, FS1)

Dodgers-Padres NLDS Game 3 FAQ (Tue., 9 ET/6 PT, FS1)

6:07 AM UTC

LOS ANGELES – There is no love lost between the Dodgers and Padres. Both sides reminded us of their mutual dislike during a heated Game 2, which resulted in the Padres evening up the National League Division Series at one game apiece with a 10-2 blowout win over the Dodgers.

On Sunday, Manny Machado and Jack Flaherty got into a pair of heated discussions. Jurickson Profar and Will Smith had their second disagreement of the season at home plate, months after the Dodgers’ backstop called the Padres’ outfielder “irrelevant.”

The meeting between the two NL West rivals was something every baseball fan wanted to watch this October. Through two games, it hasn’t had a shortage of drama. And now it’s a best-of-three series for a chance to move on to the NL Championship Series.

“I feel like the rivalry, it’s good for baseball,” Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas said. “Everybody’s excited about this series. … We understand that it’s part of a big sporting event -- 54,000 people, a lot of fans and all that. … But the game has to be played on the field and we have to overcome this one and win two more games.”

As the series shifts to Petco Park, the Dodgers will look to accomplish something they haven’t done since the 2021 postseason: Win a game on the road. If they don't, their season will come to an end in the NLDS for a third consecutive season.

The Padres, on the other hand, will look to continue their momentum in what will be another hostile environment. San Diego is 2-0 at home this postseason and eliminated the Dodgers with two wins at Petco Park during the ’22 NLDS.

“I can’t wait to be back home in front of our fans," Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. told the FS1 broadcast. "I know it’s going to be a great game all the way around. The Dodgers, they’re just not going to sit down and watch us go with our business. So same energy, same attitude. Show up and just win a ballgame.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Game 3:

When is the game and how can I watch it?
Game 3 of the best-of-five series is Tuesday at 6:08 p.m. PT at Petco Park and will air on FS1.

All games are available in the U.S. on MLB.TV (authentication to a participating Pay TV provider is required). Live games are also available in select countries outside the U.S. For full details, click here.

Who are the starting pitchers?
Dodgers: RHP Walker Buehler (1-6, 5.38 ERA)
It hasn’t been the season Buehler hoped for, but he can erase that with a strong start on Tuesday against the Padres. In the past, Buehler has thrived in the postseason, consistently delivering when his team needed him most. Buehler has a 2.94 ERA over 79 2/3 innings in 15 playoff starts.

Padres: Michael King (13-9, 2.95 ERA)
The Padres surprised a few people by handing the ball to King for their Wild Card Series opener last week. But King was more than up for the challenge. He dominated the Braves, becoming the first pitcher to strike out 12 while not allowing a run in his first postseason start. That came after King posted a 2.15 ERA in the second half of the regular season. In his first full season as a starting pitcher, King appears to be getting stronger into October.

What are the starting lineups?
Dodgers: The Dodgers will continue to monitor first baseman Freddie Freeman’s availability over the next 48 hours. Freeman, who is battling a badly sprained right ankle, played all nine innings in Game 1 but was forced out of Game 2 after five innings. If Freeman can’t play in Game 3, the Dodgers will go with Max Muncy at first base and Kiké Hernández at third.

1. , DH
2. , RF
3. , 1B
4. , LF
5. , 3B
6. , C
7. , 2B
8. , CF
9. , SS

Padres: Donovan Solano started each of the Padres’ first three postseason games, but David Peralta got the start at designated hitter against Jack Flaherty in Game 2. “Like the matchup,” manager Mike Shildt said -- and Peralta responded by hitting a pivotal two-run homer. It’s unclear who would start Game 3, but Peralta started against Buehler when he faced the Dodgers in late September.

1. , 1B
2. , RF
3. , LF
4. , 3B
5. , CF
6. , SS
7. , 2B
8. , DH
9. , C

How will the bullpens line up after each team's starter?
Dodgers: With the blowout in Game 2 and the day off before Game 3, the Dodgers should have all of their high-leverage relievers available on Tuesday.

Padres: Tanner Scott was the only Padres reliever to appear in both Games 1 and 2, but with an off-day on Monday, he should be available for Game 3. Scott and Jason Adam have served as the primary setup relievers for closer Robert Suarez, with Bryan Hoeing, Adrian Morejon and Jeremiah Estrada available to cover the middle innings.

Any injuries of note?
Dodgers: Freeman, who came into the postseason with a badly sprained right ankle, left the game Sunday after five innings with what the team called right ankle discomfort. The Dodgers are hopeful the day off will allow Freeman’s ankle to get a little better in order for him to play in Game 3.

Padres: Bogaerts exited Game 2 in the eighth inning due to hamstring cramps but should be good to go for Game 3. The Padres are already dealing with the loss of fellow shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, who was recently shut down for the season and will undergo shoulder surgery. Meanwhile, the Padres have yet to name a replacement for Joe Musgrove in their rotation. (Musgrove would have been slated to pitch Game 4.)

Who is hot and who is not?
Dodgers: Ohtani’s hitting streak, which included the postseason, ended at 13 games with an 0-for-4 performance on Sunday. Still, Ohtani has been the hottest hitter in baseball since the start of September and will be tasked with carrying the Dodgers’ offense the rest of the way. On the other hand, Betts’ postseason struggles continue as the star outfielder has been held hitless through two games, extending his playoff drought to 22 at-bats without a hit, dating back to Oct. 14, 2022.

Padres: Tatis continues to tear the cover off the baseball in his first postseason in front of fans. He’s hitting .643 with three homers in four games. Kyle Higashioka is tied with Tatis as the only players this postseason with three home runs. Meanwhile, Jake Cronenworth remains in search of his first hit of the 2024 playoffs.