Dodgers vs Padres Preview: Yamamoto Faces San Diego Power

The Dodgers roll into San Diego on a sour note after dropping game one 1-7 yesterday. Your ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the mound today with serious credentials. He's 2-0 with a 2.51 ERA this season and threw dominance all last year in Japan. Yamamoto won three straight MVP awards and threw two no-hitters for Orix. Now he's the Dodgers' stopper, the guy who silences lineups with pin-point control and strikeouts. You've got to love his composure under pressure.

San Diego absolutely crushed the Dodgers yesterday with a 7-1 victory. Ty France went deep with two runners on. Song singled and scored. Tatis Jr. added another hit. The Padres' bats woke up and showed real teeth. Now Randy Vasquez takes the ball for San Diego. This is a Padres team riding momentum, winners of four straight heading into today. They're hungry to make it five in a row and push deeper into this series at Petco Park.

The Dodgers are missing serious firepower. Blake Snell just threw his first real bullpen after elbow surgery and needs more time before facing hitters. Will Smith won't travel to San Diego with neck inflammation. Edwin Diaz is rehabbing his elbow. The Padres are also banged up. Ramon Laureano had labrum surgery and won't play this season. Nick Pivetta and Lucas Giolito are sidelined. German Marquez looks close to returning. Both teams are navigating injuries but still bringing their best to this rivalry matchup.