Los Angeles Dodgers: The birthday boy will produce

The Los Angeles Dodgers head into Sunday’s matinee looking to take the three-game series against the San Diego Padres, two games to one.

The Los Angeles Dodgers did exactly what the team needed to do after losing to the San Diego Padres on Friday and won on Saturday in convincing fashion, 7-2.

Unfortunately, the Los Angeles Dodgers could not make up the game the team lost on Friday in the standings as the Colorado Rockies also won on Saturday. Thus, the Dodgers’ lead holds at one and a half games but the magic number is down to seven.

As long as the Rockies don’t play perfect the rest of the year, the Dodgers just have to play good, not great. With a road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks following today’s game, winning this game is extremely important.

Plus, with the Diamondbacks losing the first two games to the Rockies, Arizona should be fired up to win game three. While the team’s playoff hopes are practically gone, the team will still get up for a division matchup.

With Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler starting against the Diamondbacks, who will be eliminated from postseason contention with a Dodgers and Cardinals win or their own loss, I like LA’s chances.

However, the Boys in Blue still need to get the job done today. Here is who we think will get a hit as part of our Los Angeles Dodgers Beat the Streak series. One of which is the birthday boy.

Sarah’s pick — Current streak 1: Matt Kemp

My pick for today is the birthday boy, Matt Kemp. With this being the last home game of the regular season, I think Kemp will get a big hit against the Padres, and help the Dodgers lower the magic number.

Kemp has been a revelation this season and it’s been so much fun for the fans to watch. Though I don’t know if it’ll be a home run or a bloop single to center, I have a good feeling Kemp will help get things going for the Dodgers today.

Jason’s pick — Current streak 1: Enrique Hernandez

The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing the third straight rookie pitcher, this time in southpaw Joey Lucchesi. Luchessi owns an 8-8 record this season with a 3.74 ERA.

Lucchesi has not been great against the Dodgers this season, owning a 5.00 ERA in two starts. He is making his Dodger Stadium debut, which is friendly to pitchers. However, with it being a day game, he might not get all the benefits of the moisture in the air.

There is one player that stands out against Lucchesi this season and that is southpaw specialist and super utility man, Enrique Hernandez. Hernandez has three hits in six at-bats against the rookie with a double and a home run.

With the thin afternoon air running rampant at Chavez Ravine, Hernandez is going to get a pitch to hit and not miss it at all. We have all seen how far Hernandez can hit the ball when he’s given a meatball. I am expected Hernandez’ longest home run of the season.