LOS ANGELES — The Padres and Dodgers have gone forwards and backwards all season. They opened the yr by splitting two basic video games in South Korea in March. They spent the summer time buying and selling blows. Via 4 video games of the Nationwide League Division Sequence, there’s been nothing to separate them.
“It’s going to be a enjoyable Sport 5,” mentioned Padres proper fielder Fernando Tatis Jr.
However with the stakes as excessive as they may probably be, the main focus will likely be on the on-field drama: two arch-rivals squaring off with an opportunity to play for an NL pennant. The Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto faces the Padres’ Yu Darvish within the first matchup of Japanese-born starters in postseason historical past.
The Mets have already clinched their spot within the NLCS. However which of those two groups will host Sport 1 on Sunday?
“For me to see our guys undergo what they have been by way of and reply the best way they’ve,” mentioned Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts, “actually makes me enthusiastic about Sport 5.”
Right here’s all the things you might want to learn about Sport 5.
When is the sport and the way can I watch it?
Sport 5 of the best-of-five collection is airing on FOX.
All video games can be found within the U.S. on MLB.TV (authentication to a taking part Pay TV supplier is required). Reside video games are additionally accessible in choose nations outdoors the U.S. For full particulars, click on right here.
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: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (7-2, 3.00 ERA)
The Dodgers waited till after their off-day exercise Thursday to disclose Yamamoto as their starter. Sport 2 starter Jack Flaherty is also on full relaxation. Given how properly the bullpen sport labored in Sport 4, the Dodgers may very well be fast to show issues over to the relievers if Yamamoto labors early.
What are the beginning lineups?
Padres: The Padres can’t afford to sit down David Peralta now, and so they did not for Sport 5. Behind Tatis, he’s been maybe their greatest hitter this collection. Peralta and Donovan Solano cut up time for a lot of the season, however supervisor Mike Shildt went with the new bat in Peralta.
Dodgers: Freddie Freeman is again on the three-hole, with the Dodgers going with their unique lineup in Sport 4 earlier than the star first baseman was scratched along with his badly sprained proper ankle.
How will the bullpens line up after every staff’s starter?
Padres: The Padres prevented utilizing any of their highest-leverage arms in Wednesday’s Sport 4 blowout loss, which implies they’ll have a totally contemporary ’pen for the collection finale. Jason Adam and Tanner Scott will arrange nearer Robert Suarez. Righty Jeremiah Estrada and lefty Adrian Morejon may cowl the center innings. It appears unlikely, however there’s a chance ace Michael King may very well be accessible in aid.
Dodgers: Provided that it’s an elimination sport, it’ll be one other all-hands-on-deck strategy for the Dodgers. Flaherty may very well be accessible in aid for size.
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 Sport 4 with their respective accidents. Of the 2, it’s extra doubtless that Freeman fits up for the Dodgers in Sport 5.
Who’s sizzling and who just isn’t?
Padres: Tatis continues to mash. He leads the postseason with 4 residence 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 glorious at first base defensively).
Dodgers: After a sluggish begin to the collection 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.