MLB Game Preview - San Diego at LA Dodgers

Sat Aug 3, 2019 9:10 PM EDT

Two teams searching for a consistent outfield alignment continue a four-game series Saturday night when the San Diego Padres and host Los Angeles Dodgers meet for a third consecutive day.

The clubs have split the first two games of the series, with the Padres stealing the spotlight from Dodgers uber-prospect Dustin May with a 5-2 victory on Friday.

The only Dodgers outfielder to start both games of the series, Cody Bellinger homered in each contest, reaching 100 for his career on Friday night faster (401 games) than anyone before in franchise history.

Bellinger likely will start again Saturday against Padres right-hander Cal Quantrill (4-2, 3.57 ERA), but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated before Friday's game that he'd likely be penciling in a third different starting left fielder.

Roberts has announced that Joc Pederson, who played first base in 12 of his 21 appearances in July, will return to being a full-time outfielder.

"He's worked his tail off to get better, and I really applaud him," Roberts said of Pederson's attempt to transition into a first baseman. "This gets Joc back in the outfield. That's a decision we've made going forward."

Pederson entered the first two games of the series in the eighth inning, taking over in left. He batted once in each game, going 0-for-2.

The Dodgers started A.J. Pollock in center field and Matt Beaty in left in Thursday's win, then switched over to Kristopher Negron in center and Alex Verdugo in left in Friday's loss.

The Padres, meanwhile, gave Wil Myers consecutive starts in the outfield in the first two games of the series, and he's responded with four hits, including an RBI single Friday.

Myers has started the Padres' last six games after getting the call in just three of their first 18 games in July, while the club employed Franmil Reyes.

Reyes was dealt to Cleveland at the trade deadline, creating an outfield opening. Manuel Margot and Josh Naylor alternated starts in center in the first two games of the series, while Hunter Renfroe has manned right field both nights.

Renfroe contributed a home run to Thursday's effort, while Naylor had a key two-run double that knocked out May in the sixth inning of Friday's win.

"It will all play out in time," Padres manager Andy Green told reporters, referring to the new look. "Obviously it's all predicated on how well you swing the bat, and how much you help us win baseball games."

The Padres will have to deal with right-hander Walker Buehler (9-2, 3.38) in the third game of the series. The 25-year-old has dominated San Diego in two previous head-to-heads, allowing just one run and four hits in 13 innings. He's gone 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA.

Buehler is coming off one of his worst starts of the season, tagged by Washington for seven runs (four earned) and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings in an 11-4 loss on Sunday.

Quantrill, who has allowed just one run in his last three starts, has never faced the Dodgers.

--Field Level Media