SD-LAD Game 2 lineups, FAQ (FS1, 9 ET)
The Dodgers delivered the first blow in their best-of-five National League Division Series against the Padres on Tuesday night. Now it’s on to Game 2.
San Diego’s season is seemingly on the brink, after losing right-hander Mike Clevinger in their 5-1 defeat in Game 1. Manager Jayce Tingler tabbed Zach Davies to counter Dodgers future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw tonight at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
“We’ll be up for it,” Tingler said. “... It’s not a challenge that we can’t overcome, I know that.”
Here are all the details you need to know about Game 2:
When is the game and how can I watch it?
The game will air on FS1 at 9 ET/6 PT. It is also available to stream on MLB.TV with authentication.
Who will be the ‘home’ team at the neutral site?
By virtue of having higher playoff seeding, the Dodgers will bat last again in Game 2. The Padres will do so in Game 3 and, if necessary, a potential Game 4. Should the series advance to Game 5, Los Angeles would be considered the home team.
What do the starting lineups look like?
Padres: Facing a left-hander, the Padres went with the lineup they used in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against St. Louis, with the lefty-hitting Trent Grisham dropping from first to ninth. The only tweak to that lineup is Jurickson Profar and Austin Nola flipped spots.
- Fernando Tatis Jr., SS
- Manny Machado, 3B
- Eric Hosmer, 1B
- Tommy Pham, DH
- Wil Myers, RF
- Jake Cronenworth, 2B
- Jurickson Profar, LF
- Austin Nola, C
- Trent Grisham, CF
Dodgers: The Game 2 lineup closely resembles the Game 1 lineup, with the exception of Austin Barnes catching Kershaw and Will Smith serving as the designated hitter.
- Mookie Betts, RF
- Corey Seager, SS
- Justin Turner, 3B
- Max Muncy, 1B
- Will Smith, DH
- Cody Bellinger, CF
- Chris Taylor, 2B
- AJ Pollock, LF
- Austin Barnes, C
Who are the starting pitchers?
Padres: Davies allowed four runs without making it through the third inning in the Wild Card Series, but he has had success against L.A. this season. It might also be worth keeping an eye on rookie left-hander Adrian Morejon, who can cover three or four innings if need be.
Dodgers: Kershaw gets the start six days after his eight-inning, scoreless masterpiece to clinch the Wild Card Series against Milwaukee. The lefty is 21-7 in his career against San Diego, but 0-1 this year. That was Sept. 14, when Grisham homered and infuriated the Dodgers with his trash-talking celebration.
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Padres: The Padres managed to save their big-time back-end arms on Tuesday night, meaning Emilio Pagán, Drew Pomeranz and Trevor Rosenthal are available to cover the seventh, eighth and ninth innings. The Padres might even get creative and ask for more than one frame from them. If the Padres need help in the middle innings, the usual cast of characters should also be available.
Dodgers: With the expectation that Kershaw pitches deep, the Dodgers’ bullpen is in better shape than the Padres’. Blake Treinen pitched 1 1/3 innings in Game 1, and the Dodgers can stay away from him because right-handers Brusdar Graterol, Pedro Báez, Joe Kelly and Dylan Floro were not used.
Are there any relievers who are unavailable?
Padres: Garrett Richards and Ryan Weathers both pitched in multiple frames in Game 1 and seem unlikely to pitch on back-to-back days.
Dodgers: The only reliever who pitched in Game 1 and is unavailable for Game 2 is Dustin May, who could potentially start later in the series.
Any injuries of note?
Padres: Clevinger’s right elbow injury won’t directly affect Game 2, but it might affect the way the Padres structure their pitching for the remainder of the NLDS, knowing Clevinger wouldn’t be available in a potential Game 5.
Dodgers: No.
Who is hot and who is not?
Padres: Tatis’ first postseason is off to a roaring start. He’s reached base in nine of his 18 plate appearances with two homers and a stolen base. Meanwhile, Hosmer and Machado both went 0-for-4 in Game 1, and they’ve combined to hit .118 this postseason.
Dodgers: The entire bullpen is hot. The offense is batting .186 in the postseason, so nobody is really hot.
Anything else fans want to know?
Padres: Until the Grisham incident on Sept. 14, the Padres hadn’t beaten Kershaw since June 2013.
Dodgers: This will be the Texas native Kershaw’s first professional appearance in Arlington.