The Los Angeles Dodgers enjoyed a late comeback against the San Diego Padres on Opening Day and spoiled outfielder Matt Kemp's homecoming to Dodger Stadium. Both clubs will go at it again on Tuesday night.
Clayton Kershaw faced James Shields during yesterday's matchup in perhaps the most intriguing pitcher's duel to kick off 2015, and fans will get another good contest tonight when Zack Greinke faces Tyson Ross at 10:10 p.m. ET in Los Angeles. Both clubs have new-look lineups and tonight's game is expected to deliver similar competition.
On Monday the Dodgers were behind 3-2 in the seventh inning thanks to Kemp's three RBIs off Kershaw, but the newly acquired Howie Kendrick and Jimmy Rollins delivered late in the game for Los Angeles to grab the 6-3 win. Kendrick went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI, which came on a double in the seventh inning to tie the game. Rollins (2-for-4 with a walk) then sealed the victory and smacked a three-run homer of Shawn Kelley in the eighth inning, scoring Joc Pederson and Andre Ethier.
The Padres hope their bullpen can hold up tonight after they blew Shields' 3-2 lead heading into the seventh. Although Ross has an 0-5 record in eight games (six starts) against the Dodgers, he owns a 2.79 ERA, 1.262 WHIP and 46 strikeouts over 42 innings, proving he's had a spell of bad luck against the in-state rivals. The right-hander was an All-Star in 2014 after finishing with a 2.81 ERA, 1.211 WHIP and 195 strikeouts in 31 starts (195 2/3 innings).
His opponent is one of the most experienced starters in the game. Greinke received a lubricating injection in his elbow during the offseason, but it has done little to slow him down. He had one of his best seasons in 2014 and went 17-8 with a 2.71 ERA, 1.152 WHIP and 207 strikeouts in 32 starts (202 1/3 innings) and it was the most he's pitched since 2012.
There's even more bad news for San Diego.
Greinke is 4-0 with a 1.84 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 44 strikeouts in seven starts (44 innings) in his career against the Padres. However, that was before general manager A.J. Preller overhauled the team's roster and acquired Kemp, Justin Upton, Wil Myers, Derek Norris, Will Middlebrooks and others this offseason.
The two clubs underwent major roster changes since 2014 and hope to compete in the NL West division for years to come. We'll get another good look at what they're capable of tonight at Dodger Stadium.
You can check out the live stream for tonight's game here as well as the live radio broadcast here (if you're a Dodgers fan) or here (if you're a Padres fan).
