MLB Game Preview - LA Dodgers at San Diego
Mon Aug 26, 2019 10:10 PM EDT

ATL
1
COL
3
F
STL
12
MIL
2
F
PIT
5
PHI
6
F(11)
CIN
6
MIA
3
F
OAK
19
KC
4
F
ARI
6
SF
4
F
LAD
3
SD
4
F
NYY
5
SEA
4
F
Padres' Lauer aims to continue dominance over Dodgers
Mon Aug 26, 2019 1:55 AM

So, nothing can stop the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West? Well, Eric Lauer can... or at least has with regularity thus far in his two-season major league career.

Lauer is 4-0 in six career starts against the Dodgers with a 1.72 ERA. That is the best record against the Dodgers among the 65 active major league pitchers who have started against them at least six times.

The left-handed Lauer will make his seventh career start against the Dodgers on Monday night at Petco Park in San Diego, in one of the season's more interesting matchups.

Lauer (6-8, 4.47 ERA) will be facing one of the Dodgers' top prospect -- right-hander Dustin May, who is 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA in four major league appearances and three starts.

The Dodgers -- who lost two of three to the Yankees in a weekend interleague matchup that could be a preview of the World Series -- are still trying to plot the immediate future of May. The 6-foot-6, 180-pounder has had a rapid ascent to the major leagues since being selected by the Dodgers in the third round of the 2016 draft. May -- best known for his mop of red hair -- won't turn 22 until Sept. 6.

The Dodgers have been tight-lipped about whether May will be on a postseason roster that has a surplus of candidates for what could be only three or four starting pitchers. Currently, the Dodgers have six starting pitchers, and manager Dave Roberts has said hinted might ease May's workload.

"With Dustin, he is going to have a little bit of a layoff," Roberts told reporters recently. "He's starting Monday in San Diego. We want to see him be a little more aggressive against right-handed hitters and use his mix."

May's first of four major league appearances came against the Padres on Aug. 2 at Dodger Stadium. The Padres scored four runs (three earned) on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings against May and handed him his first loss.

Monday could be a good test for May. The Padres have been a heavily right-handed team all season, although they have become more balanced recently with the promotions of left-handed hitter Josh Naylor and switch-hitter Francisco Mejia from Triple-A.

Monday will be the first of six games the Dodgers will play at Petco Park over the final five weeks of the season. The Dodgers have an 8-5 edge on the Padres this season and have won two of their first three games at Petco Park.

Now, turning to Lauer's domination of the Dodgers.

He has worked 36 2/3 innings against them, giving up eight runs (seven earned) on 26 hits and eight walks with 35 strikeouts. In addition to the 4-0 record and 1.72 ERA, Lauer has a career 0.927 WHIP against the Dodgers, who are hitting just .190 with a .548 OPS against Lauer.

This season, Lauer is 1-0 against the Dodgers with a 2.65 ERA, a 0.824 WHIP and a .175 OBA over 17 innings. The Padres have won two of the three games that Lauer has started against the Dodgers.

Against the rest of the league, Lauer has an 8-15 career record with a 5.47 ERA.

"I can't explain it," the 6-foot-5, 24-year-old Lauer said. "I am aware of it. I like it."

"I just wish he had the same success against everyone else," Padres manager Andy Green added.

--Field Level Media

Team Record Comparison

Team Standings GB W-L Aw/Hm Stk L10
LA Dodgers            
San Diego            

Scheduled Starting Pitchers

Dustin May - LAD
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. San Diego
Eric Lauer - PIT
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. LA Dodgers

Hot Batters (Last 10 team games)

Injury Report

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