Los Angeles @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 9, 2018 ) LA Dodgers 8, San Diego 2

Yasiel Puig’s injury has created an opportunity for Andrew Toles, who is back in the major leagues for the first time in more than a year. Toles figures to be in the lineup again on Tuesday as the Los Angeles Dodgers continue their four-game series against the host San Diego Padres, who have fallen 15 games under the .500 mark.

Recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City after Puig landed on the disabled list with an oblique injury he suffered on Sunday, Toles started in center field and went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in Monday’s 8-2 series-opening victory. Clayton Kershaw tossed six scoreless innings and Justin Turner recorded three hits and two RBIs as the Dodgers won for the sixth time in eight games. San Diego has dropped eight of its last 11 contests and allowed a total of 28 runs in its last two losses. Wil Myers has been on a tear over the last three games, going 6-for-13 with five home runs, six RBIs and two stolen bases.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Rich Hill (2-3, 4.56 ERA) vs. Padres LH Eric Lauer (4-5, 4.84)

Hill earned his first victory in three months with a solid outing last Tuesday, when he gave up two runs over five innings against Pittsburgh. The 38-year-old veteran left the game due to neck tightness but was cleared to start against the Padres after throwing a successful bullpen session on Sunday. Myers is 1-for-13 with eight strikeouts against Hill, who owns a 4-3 record and 3.18 ERA in eight career starts versus San Diego.

Lauer’s ERA dropped under 5.00 for the first time in his 14-start major-league career on Thursday, when he allowed one run over five-plus innings in a 6-3 win over Arizona. The 23-year-old native of Ohio has allowed fewer than three runs in four of his last five outings. One of several promising rookies on the Padres’ pitching staff, Lauer worked six innings in a 3-0 home victory over the Dodgers on May 7.

WALK-OFFS

1. Turner has reached base safely in each of his last 13 starts.

2. The Padres recalled RHPs Walker Lockett and Phil Maton from Triple-A El Paso and optioned RHP Miguel Diaz and INF Cory Spangenberg to the Chihuahuas.

3. Dodgers RHP Walker Buehler (ribs) is expected to rejoin the team’s rotation this weekend against the Los Angeles Angels.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Padres 3