The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres certainly have a fun history when facing each other, responsible for some memorable matchups in the past. Zach Greinke and Ian Kennedy certainly have a part in that. The last time these two pitchers were up against one another, a bench-clearing brawl took place as the Dodgers went on to win the NL West title. Now they meet up again as the Dodgers look to bounce back after a season-starting loss.
Kennedy started the memorable fight. He was pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks and nailed Yasiel Puig in the face and Greinke in the back. Naturally, the Dodgers pitcher responded by hitting Miguel Montero in the back. A fight broke out and in the end, six players were ejected and Kennedy was served a 10-game suspension. Is all of that behind the Dodgers? The San Diego Padres will soon find out.
Greinke is making his first appearance this season after missing part of spring training following a calf strain. He sat out the Australia run and will now step up against the Padres, looking to build off a successful 2013 where he put up the league's fifth-lowest ERA, winning 12 out of 14 decisions. Against the Padres, he is even better. The pitcher is 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA while recording 31 strikeouts in 31 innings.
The Dodgers might relying on Greinke because their bats have started off cold so far this summer. Andre Ethier is 2-for-12 after going hitless in his four at-bats. Los Angeles only got four hits in their game on Sunday. Hanley Ramirez is 1 for 11 so far while Adrian Gonzalez is 1 for 9 to begin this season. Puig is also 3 for 13.