Los Angeles @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2019 ) LA Dodgers 6, San Diego 4

Kenley Jansen appears ready for the postseason after recording saves in consecutive games for the first time since late May. Jansen’s return to form would be a welcome sight for the National League West champion Los Angeles Dodgers, who aim for a sweep of their three-game series against the host San Diego Padres on Thursday afternoon.

Joc Pederson went 3-for-3 with two homers and three RBIs in Wednesday’s 6-4 victory and Jansen recorded his 300th career save as the Dodgers won their third straight to improve to 12-6 against the Padres this season. Chris Taylor and Edwin Rios also went deep for Los Angeles, which received a scare when Corey Seager exited the contest in the third inning with left hamstring tightness. Manager Dave Roberts was optimistic about Seager’s prognosis and said the two-time All-Star should be available on Friday, when the Dodgers begin their final series of the regular season against San Francisco. Seager likely will rest on Thursday versus San Diego, which has lost 11 of its last 13 games and is 1-3 under interim manager Rod Barajas.

TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (15-5, 3.15 ERA) vs. Padres LH Joey Lucchesi (10-9, 4.28)

Kershaw has won two consecutive starts following three straight losses but wasn’t pleased after allowing four runs and eight hits - three homers - over six innings against Colorado on Friday. “Not a lot of good there on my part,” Kershaw told reporters. “I don’t know why, but need to get better. Got one more start to figure it out before things get going.” The three-time Cy Young Award winner has dominated San Diego in his career, going 20-6 with a 2.03 ERA in 38 starts.

Lucchesi lost his second straight start last Thursday, giving up three runs and six hits over four innings against Milwaukee. The 26-year-old Californian is 8-3 with 2.64 ERA in 15 home starts this season compared to 2-6 with a 6.22 mark in 14 road outings. Justin Turner is 2-for-14 with a solo homer against Lucchesi, who owns a 1-4 record and 6.67 ERA in six career starts versus the Dodgers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers OF A.J. Pollock has gone 14-for-39 with two homers and eight RBIs during his 10-game hitting streak.

2. San Diego OF Wil Myers left Wednesday’s game in the third inning after feeling light-headed and is listed as day-to-day.

3. Los Angeles LHP Caleb Ferguson has not allowed a run in 16 of his last 20 relief appearances.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Padres 2