Dodgers offense faces the best version of Randy Vásquez
Dodgers are coming off an emotionally draining win and now face San Diego’s second-best starter this season
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 19: Andy Pages #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting a sacrifice fly during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on May 19, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images Maybe it’s the anticipation of having waited until nearly June to face them for the first time, but this series against the San Diego Padres has more than lived up to incredibly high expectations. A couple of days after seeing the Friars’ ace completely shut the high-powered Dodgers down, now it’s time to face probably one of the key figures in making this San Diego team one capable of competing for the NL West crown—well, at least so far.
Randy Vásquez’s breakout is partially holding this rotation together in the absence of the currently sidelined Nick Pivetta, and his 2. 68 ERA speaks for itself. Vásquez isn’t exactly a new kid on the block, and he put up pretty respectable numbers last year, but it’ll be the first taste of his new version for the Dodgers.
Vásquez has benefited from increased velocity to take a fastball that was surrendering a . 253 batting average last year to a . 182 mark in 2026.
His 22. 4% strikeout rate isn’t anything to write home about in a vacuum, but considering where he was just the season prior (13. 77%), it’s a massive improvement.