LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Los Angeles Dodgers will begin their second homestand of the season tonight, facing the San Diego Padres in the opener of a four-game series at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers have baseball's best record -- 14-4 for a .778 winning percentage. San Diego has lost seven of its last nine games to fall to 10-10, five games behind the Dodgers in the National League West.
After winning two of three games against the Padres on Friday through Sunday in San Diego, the Dodgers split a two-game interleague series at Seattle. The Padres were swept by the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-game series at Petco Park that concluded Wednesday.
The pitching matchup for the opener is a rematch of Friday's 11-6, 12-inning Dodger victory, with right-hander Walker Buehler facing Padres' rookie left-hander Ryan Weathers.
Buehler allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings Friday, striking out four and walking one. Weathers allowed one hit in 3 2/3 shutout innings in his first major league start, striking out three and walking two. He was removed from the game by manager Jayce Tingler after throwing 79 pitches.
Buehler is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA. The Dodgers are 3-0 in his three starts.
Additional concessions locations will be open in the Center Field Plaza for the homestand, including Dueling Dogs, Bao and Bowls, Golden Road Brewing and the Jim Beam Bar. Lil' Sweet Chick will also be open on the Field Level.
The Dodgers have made additional seats available for Saturday's game in a fully-vaccinated section on the Loge level, where social distancing will not be required and fans will be seated directly next to other parties.
Anyone sitting in the designated area -- sections 166LG and 168LG -- will have to be fully vaccinated for the coronavirus, meaning it has been two weeks since they received their final dose of vaccine.
Children between 2 and 15, who are too young to be vaccinated, must have proof that they tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of being admitted to the stadium.
Fans in the vaccinated section will still be required to wear face coverings, except when they are “actively'' eating or drinking.
The homestand will conclude with a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds Monday through Wednesday. Dodger right-hander Trevor Bauer will be presented with his 2020 National League Cy Young Award before Tuesday's game.
Wednesday afternoon's game will be the first Value Day of the season, with tickets starting at $25, with a 30% savings off of ticket prices in select areas throughout the stadium.
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