After sweeping the San Francisco Giants earlier this week, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves with an opportunity to further cushion their 6.5 game lead in the NL West against a struggling San Diego Padres team.
Los Angeles has won eight of its last 10 games, while San Diego has lost seven of its last 10.
The Dodgers' starting pitcher, Mat Latos, who started his pro baseball career as a Padre, has had a rough start in blue since L.A. acquired him in a deadline-day trade with Miami.
In his last four starts, Latos has allowed 22 hits and 14 runs—13 of them earned—in 18.