Weekend Watch

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Dodging Bullets

The Colorado Rockies picked up a 6-2 victory on the road against the Arizona Diamondbacks, while the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers were dumped by the last-place San Diego Padres at Chavez Ravine. There aren't very many meaningful games being played in the majors down the stretch of the regular season, but the National League West Division appears like it will go down to the very end. Colorado pulled to within 1 1/2 games of Los Angeles. On Saturday, the Rockies will turn to RHP Antonio Senzatela against D-Backs LHP Patrick Corbin, while the Dodgers will hope for revenge with LHP Rich Hill working against Padres RHP Jacob Nix.

The Rockies are still just 2-5 in their past seven games inside the division, and they're 1-5 in the past six against left-handed starting pitchers. They're also just 1-4 in the past five on the road vs. LHP. Senzatela has really struggled, too, as Colorado is just 3-9 over his past 12 road starts, and 2-5 in his past seven against teams with a winning record. They're also just 1-4 in his past five road outings against teams with a winning overall mark. The good news is that Colorado is 10-4 in Senzatela's past 14 against teams inside the division.

The Diamondbacks are also in a tailspin, going just 2-8 in their past 10 NL West battles, while cashing in just one of the past six games overall. They're also 0-5 in their past five tries vs. RHP. Corbin has been a stopped for the Snakes, at least at home, as Arizona has won four of his past five outings. However, they're just 1-4 in his past five outings while going a dismal 2-10 across the past 12 starts when Corbin is working on four days of rest. The Diamondbacks are 8-1 in Corbin's past nine home outings against the Rockies, while going 4-1 in his past five against them overall. However, Colorado has dominated the series lately, winning four of the past five in Arizona, and eight of the past 10 overall. 

Looking Ahead

Saturday, Sept. 22

The Dodgers roll out the southpaw Hill to face the cellar-dwelling Padres. San Diego isn't throwing in the towel on their season, and they're really putting the screws to L.A. The Padres are 4-0 in their past four road games and 4-1 in the past five against teams with a winning overall record. While they're just 18-39 in the past 57 against NL West clubs, they're 4-1 in the past five on the road against teams with a winning home mark.

L.A. has connected in 12 of their past 15 games inside the division despite losing Friday's contest against the Padres. They're also 10-4 in their past 14 home games. However, if they fail to win the NL West, and subsequently miss the playoffs, it will be due to the fact they haven't taken care of business against the dregs of the league. Los Angeles has won just once in the past five against teams with a losing record. While L.A. is 4-1 in his past five home outings, and 10-3 in his past 13 at home against teams with a losing record, the Dodgers are just 2-7 in his past nine inside the division. Dodger Stadium is normally a house of horrors for the Padres, so don't expect many more upset wins for the last-place team. The Padres have won just 19 of the past 61 meetings with the Dodgers, and they're 14-38 in the past 52 trips to L.A.

The Red Sox tied a franchise record with their 105th victory of the season against the Indians on Friday. The Red Sox have won five of the past seven road games, and they're 54-22 in the past 76 games. They turn to Rick Porcello, and they're 4-0 in his past four outings. However, Chris Sale pitched on Friday and was on a strict pitch count, and Trevor Bauer of the Indians was also limited, too. Both are returning from injuries, but with both teams in the postseason already, the teams will take it easy with their starting pitchers to avoid unneeded wear and tear. Will that sort of handling of the pitching staffs affect the outcomes of these mostly meaningless games? It might be best to focus on teams with something still left to play for.

Weather Report

After some ugly weather situations over the past few weeks, the weather looks favorable this weekend. The only trouble spot might be in Arlington, as the Mariners and Rangers will face a 40 percent chance of rain with an 11-14 mph wind blowing out.

Sunday, Sept. 23

It's a battle of southpaws in Toronto, as AL Cy Young candidate LHP Blake Snell will face LHP Ryan Borucki. The Rays are still mathematically alive for a postseason spot, going 10-2 in their past 12 inside the division heading into play on Saturday. They're also 17-4 in the past 21 against teams with a losing record. They're 4-0 in Snell's past four road starts, 4-0 in his past four inside the division and 20-7 in the past 27 overall. Tampa Bay has also won five in a row against lefties, while Toronto is a dismal 16-36 in their past 52 vs. LHP. The Blue Jays haven't had much luck with the rookie Borucki on the hill, cashing in just one of his past five tries vs. AL East foes. Tampa Bay has won four of Snell's past five tries against the Blue Jays, too.

It's lefty-lefty action with rookie LHP Joey Lucchesi working for the Padres against LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu for the Dodgers. It's been a train wreck for Lucchesi inside the division, with San Diego just 1-10 over his past 11 starts against the NL West. For the Dodgers, they're 5-0 in Ryu's past five against divisional foes, 6-2 in his past eight at home and 35-12 in his past 47 against teams with a losing overall record. Oddly enough, he works better on shorter rest, as he is just 2-8 in his past 10 when working on five days of rest.

The Red Sox are still undecided on their starter for Sunday night against the Indians. Cleveland will use RHP Adam Plutko, and the Indians are just 1-5 over his past six outings while losing each of his past five starts on grass. Progressive Field hasn't been kind to the Red Sox over the years, as they enter Sunday's finale just 5-11 in their past 16 trips to Cleveland despite a comeback win on Friday.