SAN DIEGO — The Padres and Dodgers have gone forwards and backwards all season. They opened the 12 months by splitting two basic video games in South Korea in March. They spent the summer season buying and selling blows. By 4 video games of the Nationwide League Division Sequence, there’s been nothing to separate them.
“It’s going to be a enjoyable Recreation 5,” mentioned Padres proper fielder Fernando Tatis Jr.
However with the stakes as excessive as they might presumably be, the main target will probably be on the on-field drama: two arch-rivals squaring off with an opportunity to play for an NL pennant. The Mets have already clinched their spot within the NLCS. However which of those two groups will host Recreation 1 on Sunday?
“For me to see our guys undergo what they have been by and reply the way in which they’ve,” mentioned Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts, “actually makes me enthusiastic about Recreation 5.”
Right here’s every thing it is advisable find out about Recreation 5:
When is the sport and the way can I watch it?Recreation 5 of the best-of-five sequence is Friday at 5:08 p.m. PT at Dodger Stadium and can air on FOX.
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Who’re the beginning pitchers?Padres: Yu Darvish (7-3, 3.31 ERA)In his final begin, Darvish restricted the Dodgers to 1 run throughout seven innings in arguably the best postseason begin of his profession. He spent a large portion of the season on the injured record, then the restricted record. However he’s made six begins since returning — and the Padres have gained all six.
Dodgers: TBDThe Dodgers weren’t able to announce a Recreation 5 starter simply but. Los Angeles has a few choices. Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto might begin in conventional roles, however each pitchers struggled towards the Padres in Video games 1 and a pair of, respectively. Given how nicely the bullpen sport labored in Recreation 4, the Dodgers may also critically take into account going with a bullpen sport in Friday’s win-or-go-home sport.
What are the projected beginning lineups?Padres: The Padres can’t afford to sit down David Peralta now. Behind Tatis, he’s been maybe their finest hitter this sequence. Peralta and Donovan Solano cut up time for a lot of the season, however count on supervisor Mike Shildt to experience the new hand with the season on the road.
Dodgers: If Freddie Freeman can’t play in Recreation 5, the Dodgers will as soon as once more go along with Max Muncy at first base and Kiké Hernández at third. But when Freeman is a go, the Dodgers may go along with their authentic lineup in Recreation 4 earlier than the star first baseman was scratched along with his badly sprained proper ankle. Miguel Rojas is also an possibility, however the Dodgers is perhaps higher off retaining Tommy Edman at quick.
How will the bullpens line up after every group’s starter?Padres: The Padres averted utilizing any of their highest-leverage arms in Wednesday’s Recreation 4 blowout loss, which implies they’ll have a totally contemporary ’pen for the sequence finale. Jason Adam and Tanner Scott will arrange nearer Robert Suarez. Righty Jeremiah Estrada and lefty Adrian Morejon might cowl the center innings. It appears unlikely, however there’s a risk ace Michael King may very well be obtainable in aid.
Dodgers: It’ll all rely upon what the Dodgers determine to do. If they begin Flaherty or Yamamoto, Roberts will probably be fast to lean on the bullpen behind them. Provided that it’s an elimination sport, it’ll be one other all-hands-on-deck strategy for the Dodgers. Within the state of affairs that the Dodgers go along with a bullpen sport, Flaherty and Yamamoto may very well be obtainable in aid for size, nevertheless it’ll be an analogous playbook to Recreation 4.
Any accidents of observe?Padres: Ha-Seong Kim (proper shoulder) and Joe Musgrove (elbow) are each slated to bear surgical procedure and are out for the remainder of the postseason.
Dodgers: Freeman and Rojas each missed Recreation 4 with their respective accidents and will probably be game-time choices Friday. Of the 2, it’s extra seemingly that Freeman fits up for the Dodgers.
Who’s scorching and who is just not?Padres: Tatis continues to mash. He leads the postseason with 4 dwelling runs, whereas hitting .500 with a 1.759 OPS. Even his outs are scorched. However Luis Arraez hasn’t carried out a lot table-setting for Tatis within the leadoff spot. He’s simply 3-for-18 within the NLDS with three singles (although he’s been surprisingly wonderful at first base defensively).
Dodgers: After a sluggish begin to the sequence within the first two video games, Mookie Betts heated up at Petco Park for the Dodgers. Betts has hit a homer in back-to-back postseason video games for the primary time in his profession and has given the Dodgers the increase they desperately wanted.
