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Peavy, Schmidt face off at Chavez Ravine

Apr 14, 2007 - 2:56 PM San Diego (6-4) at LA Dodgers (7-3), 10:10 pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers are hoping to push their winning streak to four games behind their $47 million pitcher.

The Dodgers send Jason Schmidt to the mound for the second game of a three-game series against the San Diego Padres Saturday at Dodger Stadium.

Los Angeles signed Schmidt (1-1, 4.00 ERA) to a three-year, $47 million deal in the offseason with the hope that an improved rotation would get it past the two-time defending National League West Division champion Padres.

The 34-year-old righthander left his start on Monday in the fourth inning after straining his hamstring running to cover first base on a ground ball. He took the loss after allowing four runs - three earned - before he left.

San Diego will counter with its ace, Jake Peavy (1-0, 0.69). The 25-year-old righthander has dominated the Dodgers in his career, compiling a 6-1 record with a 2.40 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 13 starts.

Peavy has gotten off to a strong start in 2007, allowing just three hits in six shutout innings on April 3 to earn a win against San Francsico and following it up with a one run, seven inning effort on Sunday against Colorado.

Los Angeles took the first game of the series, 9-1, on Friday behind eight strong innings from Derek Lowe and some clutch hitting from veterans Nomar Garciaparra, Rafael Furcal and Luis Gonzalez.