After two games of excellent pitching to start the season -- two straight shutouts to be specific -- the Dodgers turn to Kenta Maeda to go for a sweep of the seemingly hapless Padres. Maeda of course is the much-ballyhooed off-season acquisition via Hiroshima Carp. Maeda had a terrific career in Japan, but the jury will be out as to whether or not he can be what at this point is the Dodgers' third starter. Time will, of course, tell, but hopefully he can be a key piece of the rotation looking to replace the loss of Zack Greinke not with one pitcher but with perhaps several.
Thus far the offense has been aggressive, confident, productive, consistent, and smart. Again, it's difficult to judge success against the shambles that is Padres, and it's a minuscule sample size, but from what we've seen so far, Seager seems to be picking up where he left off, Joc looks more comfortable and balanced at the plate, Puig exudes a new poise and patience, Turner is making solid contact, and Adrian gonna Adrian. Early days, but it beats the alternative - looking at you, Angels!
Programming Note: The start time is in the six o'clock hour, not seven o'clock.
