San Diego @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 28, 2015 ) Arizona 6, San Diego 4

Arizona slugger Paul Goldschmidt could be a game-time decision when the Arizona Diamondbacks open a three-game series against the visiting San Diego Padres on Monday. Goldschmidt twisted his right ankle during Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers and manager Chip Hale indicated the first baseman will be examined before he makes out the lineup.

The Padres won't mind if Goldschmidt is given a day off as he is batting .333 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 45 at-bats against them this season. He has been struggling in September by going 8-for-38 with two homers and 16 strikeouts. San Diego has lost four straight and eight of 10 games as it sends James Shields up against his former Tampa Bay rotation mate Jeremy Hellickson of the Diamondbacks. Padres left fielder Justin Upton is 5-for-10 with two homers against Hellickson and is batting .300 with four homers in 50 at-bats this season against the Diamondbacks, his club from 2007-12.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH James Shields (11-6, 3.90 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Jeremy Hellickson (9-8, 4.60)

Shields is looking for his fourth victory in the past five decisions. He defeated Colorado in his last outing when he gave up four runs and eight hits in six innings. Shields has served up four homers in 12 innings while going 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA against Arizona this season and is 2-2 with a 6.38 ERA in four career starts.

Hellickson is making his first start since Aug. 17, when he suffered a hamstring injury while defeating Pittsburgh. He gave up one earned run in 13 1/3 innings in back-to-back victories before being placed on the disabled list is looking to win 10 games for the fourth time in his career. Hellickson has been torched by San Diego this season with a 1-2 record and 7.54 ERA in four starts and has a 7.67 ERA in five overall outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Padres were outscored 27-4 while suffering a three-game weekend sweep against San Francisco.

2. Arizona C Jarrod Saltalamacchia is 5-for-10 with three homers and six RBIs over his past three appearances.

3. San Diego RF Matt Kemp is 0-for-7 in the last two games after reaching base in a career-best 31 consecutive games.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 8, Padres 6