The set-up: The LA Dodgers and SD Padres opened a three-game series in Monterrey, Mexico on Friday (San Diego is the designated home team), with the Dodgers recording the first combined no-hitter in franchise history. Walker Buehler and three relievers opened the series by delivering the Dodgers' 23rd no-hitter in Friday's 4-0 victory. Chris Taylor and Kike Hernandez homered for Los Angeles, which has allowed a total of three runs during its three-game winning streak. The Dodgers will be without left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu until at least the All-Star break due to a severe groin strain, but Buehler already has proven to be a capable replacement, giving up a total of two runs over 16 innings in his first three starts. The Padres have now dropped 12 of their last 16 games and clearly miss Wil Myers, who landed on the disabled list for the second time this season last week with a strained left oblique. Eric Hosmer had his five-game hitting streak come to an end Friday. The 11-22 Padres are already 10 1/2 games back of the first-place Diamondbacks in the NL West.

The pitching matchup: Kenta Maeda (2-2, 3.76 ERA) goes for LA and Bryan Mitchell (0-3, 6.07 ERA) for San Diego. Clearly, Maeda has a tough act to follow. He struggled with his command in Sunday's 4-2 loss to San Francisco after entering the game with a total of six walks in his first five starts. He exited after allowing four runs on five hits - including a three-run HR by Evan Longoria in the first - and four walks in six innings. Maeda worked 5 2/3 innings and notched the win against San Diego on April 18, improving to 4-3 with a 4.72 ERA in 10 career games (nine starts) versus the Padres. Mitchell still is seeking his first win as a Padre after giving up four runs over 4 2/3 innings in Monday's 14-2 loss to the New York Mets. He has failed to impress since being acquired from the New York Yankees during the offseason, issuing 23 walks over 29 2/3 innings in his first six starts (team is 1-5). "I think I've made improvements," Mitchell told reporters. "The numbers may not reflect that, but I can tell the ball's coming out of my hand better and the pitches are better."

The pick; I/m not sur just which "improvements' Mitchell is talking about. The Dodgers have won five straight NL West titles but have struggled early on (15-17 record has them six games back of the D'backs) but as noted, LA has won three straight (pitching staff has allowed only three runs all told) and should begin to get things straightened out. Another game with the Padres in Mexico (with the struggling Mitchell on the hill), seems like a pretty good opportunity to make it four in a row. Make LA a 6* play.