LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers are in full roar now Gary Carter Jersey , gaining much-needed momentum against a pair of playoff contenders to wrest away the top spot in the National League West.Now comes a matchup against a club long eliminated from the playoff chase. These have not always gone well for the Dodgers recently.The Dodgers took three days this week to turn a half-game deficit in the division to a three-game lead and now welcome the San Diego Padres into Dodger Stadium for the final home series of the season.Article continues below ...The opener on Friday will match the Padres left-hander Eric Lauer (5-7, 4.74 ERA) against Dodgers lefty Rich Hill (9-5, 4.02).At first blush, a matchup against the last-place Padres would seem to bode well as the Dodgers look to nail down a sixth consecutive NL West title. But the Dodgers were just in Cincinnati on their most recent road trip needing victories against the last-place Reds and the task proved difficult.The Dodgers won just one of the three games at Cincinnati, leaving them an improbable 1-6 against the Reds this season. But they left the Queen City and took three of four from a Cardinals team on a second-half revival, then dispatched the previously first-place Rockies in a three-game sweep this week.“It’s a special group of people to have that focus for three weeks and beyond,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I believe our guys can sustain it and it’s a credit to them and understanding that every pitch is important. We have nine games (remaining) and nothing is sealed yet. It’s a good thing that we are playing our best baseball right now.”The Padres will enter this weekend series coming off a victory Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants, but have won just two times in their past six games.If the Dodgers need a viable strategy, it might be to score early and often. The Padres’ bullpen has a 2.39 ERA over its last 10 games going back to Sept. 8, with a WHIP that is a shade under 1.00.Padres hitters also drew 26 walks over their just-completed six-game homestand, a signal to Dodgers starters that pitch counts could climb this weekend. It also is a signal to the Dodgers’ bullpen that usage could be high in the upcoming three games.There are enough Padres positives to show that the Dodgers should not expect an easy time. Add to that a number of highly regarded prospects not only on the September roster, but seeing action Dwight Gooden Jersey , and the Padres could be an energetic group playing like it has nothing to lose.Veteran infielder Freddy Galvis knows kids like Javy Guerra and Luis Urias are going to see playing time in the electric playoff-like atmosphere of Dodger Stadium.“I understand, especially at this time of the year in September,” Galvis said, according to MLB.com. “They’re calling up prospects, and they want to see them. I understand the situation. But I’ll just keep helping the team however I can.”Lauer is one of three Padres rookies who will start in the series. He has won both of his starts against the Dodgers this year, doing it in dominating fashion with a 0.61 ERA over 14 1/3 innings. The Padres even moved Lauer into this spot, giving him an extra day of rest, to see if is up to the task against the Dodgers yet again.Hill also has two starts against the Padres this year, going 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA over 13 innings. He is 5-4 lifetime against San Diego with a 3.09 ERA over 10 starts. With the Boston Red Sox sprinting to the 2018 World Series title, the MLB offseason is officially on for everyone.And there's work to do for all 30 teams. While the Red Sox will bulk up their ranks in hopes of becoming the first repeat champion since 2000, the other 29 clubs will search for ways to knock them off the mountaintop.Even though offseason motors aren't running full speed just yet鈥攆ree agency doesn't open until Nov. 3鈥攖hey've picked up enough steam to populate the rumor mill with some interesting chatter.Marlins Keeping Jose Urena?Bill Kostroun/Associated PressThe Miami Marlins are still learning what they have in 27-year-old starting pitcher Jose Urena.They liked him enough to make him their 2018 Opening Day starter, and they had to be pleased with his 49.6 percent ground-ball rate and 95.8 mph average fastball velocity. But they were likely underwhelmed by his 3.98 ERA and 6.7 strikeouts per nine innings.Urena is entering arbitration for the first time Keith Hernandez Jersey , andBarry Jackson of theMiami Heraldpreviously reported the Marlins could consider moving Urena "if they get a good offer."But MLB.com's Joe Frisarowrote that any Urena trade "isn't likely" and the pitcher is "more likely to be the Opening Day starter for the second straight year."Unless the Marlins are blown away by an offer, it would make sense to keep him.The hard-throwing righty has substantial potential that remains untapped. Consistency can be an issue, but he's flashed top-of-the-rotation stuff. He limited the Red Sox to one run with seven strikeouts back in April, tossed his first complete game鈥攁 two-hit, one-run gem against the Washington Nationals鈥攊n August and rolled through the month of September with a 5-0 record and a 1.20 ERA."Even though we were out of contention, he showed that he can pitch, and he can be our ace," Marlins infielder Miguel Rojas said. "I'm so happy for him, because he shows signs of being an ace and what we need."Those signs don't cost the Marlins anywhere near ace prices, of course.MLBTradeRumors.comprojects Urena will collect a $3.6 million deal in arbitration.And if he does wind up being moved, he wouldn't bring back the return associated with elite pitchers.Better for the Marlins, then Jorge De La Rosa Jersey , to continue bringing him along and see for themselves what his future holds. Keuchel Will Get Qualifying Offer, Gonzalez Won't?David J. Phillip/Associated PressDespite finishing just three wins shy of a return to the World Series, the Houston Astros could have a busy offseason.Part of that process is apparently underway already.Fancred's Jon Heyman revealed where the Astros are at regarding three big decisions with possible qualifying offers:Jon Heyman JonHeymanAstros are planning to extend the $17.9M qualifying offer to Dallas Keuchel. They are planning not to extend it to Marwin Gonzalez. No word yet on Charlie Morton, who may be a close call.None of these will be easy calls.Dallas Keuchel's ERA spiked for the second time in three seasons (3.74). His strikeout rate nosedived to 17.5 percent, and his mediocre 53.7 percent ground-ball rate was his lowest since 2012.That might make it seem like he should pounce on a $17.9 million salary, even if it's only for one year. But with his 31st birthday approaching, this could be his last chance to secure a giant contract. And it's likely he'll find big money somewhere, as a former Cy Young with 200-plus innings and/or a sub-3.00 ERA in three of the past five years.Marwin Gonzalez is just as interesting.You wouldn't think someone with 16 home runs and 68 RBI would warrant a price tag that high. But in an era that increasingly emphasizes versatility, Houston's super-utility option is as flexible as they come."At any given point on any team, this guy can literally play six positions every day," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "As I've said before, he's the answer to everything. We have a problem http://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-taijuan-walker-jersey , we insert Marwin, and no matter what, he steps up in a huge way."As for Charlie Morton, he's been serving up filth since arriving in Houston ahead of the 2017 season. He has posted a 3.36 ERA with 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings over his two years with the team.But he's also turning 35 in November, and he doesn't have the cleanest injury history. He could get a $17.9 million salary or a multi-year commitment, but it's hard to imagine him finding both.The Astros could certainly keep all three, but money might get too tight if Houston is looking to add pieces as opposed to simply retaining what it has. Statistics used courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs.
