Maeda (0-1) gave up three runs on six hits and a pair of walks over five innings in a 4-0 loss to San Diego on Tuesday. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

This surely wasn't how Maeda wanted to open his season, as the Padres got to him right away with a pair of first-inning runs. He ended up being lifted early in an attempt to generate some offense, but the Dodgers got nothing done at the plate against Clayton Richard and reliever Brad Hand, who combined on the shutout. Nonetheless, fantasy owners should expect big things from Maeda in his second MLB season; starts like this will be the exception, not the rule.

Maeda threw three perfect innings Thursday, striking out four in an exhibition win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old made his last start in the minors so that the club could manage his pitch count and keep him fresh for the start of the season. Maeda helped that cause Friday, needing just 29 pitches to no-hit the Angels through three frames. The righty is lined up to start the club's third game of the season against the Padres, a favorable matchup that should get his season off on the right foot.

Maeda will pitch in a minor league game Friday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Dodgers continue to monitor and often minimize Maeda's spring work to keep him fresh for his second full MLB season. The Japanese import wore down at the end of last year yet still ended with a sparkling line that included 3.48 ERA, 9.2 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9. Even with his risks, the 28-year-old remains worthy of sitting near the top of many fantasy rotations.

Maeda turned in his best outing of the spring Monday, limiting the Angels to one run one one hit while striking out seven in his 3.2 innings of work.

EDGE Analysis

After two pedestrian outings to begin the spring, Maeda looked to be in mid-season form Monday. The only blemish on his dominant stat line was a solo homer off the bat of Albert Pujols. The 28-year-old sophomore reportedly added 10 pounds of muscle and a cut fastball this past offseason in an effort to combat the second half slump he went through last season. Even if he were to repeat last year's results, Maeda would still be considered a valuable fantasy asset.

Maeda has added 10 pounds of muscle to his frame in an effort to reach his goal of 200 innings pitched this season.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda had a strong major league debut last season but faded down the stretch, posting a 4.25 ERA in the second half compared to a 2.95 ERA in the first. The added muscle could help prolong his effectiveness and give a better representation of the pitcher he could be over the course of a whole season. Maeda is also working on adding a cutter to his repertoire in an effort to deal with left-handed batters better, who he allowed over 30 more batting average points against last season. Even with last year's second-half slump he still turned in usable fantasy numbers, so these changes made during spring training could result in improved numbers in his sophomore season.

Maeda will start Game 5 regardless of the result of Wednesday's Game 4, FOX Sports' Jon Morosi reports.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda has pitched quite poorly during the postseason, but the calculus is likely more about getting Kershaw the ball in a potential Game 6 clincher on an extra day's rest, rather than using him on short rest Thursday.

Maeda is lined up to start Game 1 of the NLCS if the Dodgers win their series against the Nationals, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times

EDGE Analysis

Despite struggling in Game 3 of Los Angeles' NLDS matchup with the Nationals, allowing four earned runs over 3.0 innings, Maeda will still have the opportunity to start against the Cubs should the Dodgers advance to the next round. However, given the win-or-go-home stakes of Thursday's game, manager Dave Roberts could use Maeda if necessary against the Nationals. If Maeda does pitch Thursday, Los Angeles would have to adjust its rotation accordingly if it does indeed make it to the NLCS.

Maeda (16-11) gave up five runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three over 2,2 innings in Sunday's loss to the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

He was on a pitch count anyway heading into the postseason, but Maeda burned through them quickly by giving up two runs in the first inning and then three more in the second. He hasn't lasted more than five innings in any of his last four starts, but the 28-year-old still finishes his first MLB campaign with a 3.48 ERA and 179:50 K:BB in 175.2 innings over 32 starts.

Maeda (16-10) allowed three runs on three hits and a walk with five strikeouts over four innings Tuesday against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda threw 60 pitches, and the Dodgers are trying to take it easy on their starting staff with the National League West crown already sewn up. This start was moved up for Maeda so he could pitch Sunday if need be, but it isn't looking like they'll need him for the season finale, so it wouldn't be surprising if his regular season is over. If so, he'll finish with a nifty 3.28 ERA and a 176:48 K:BB in 173 innings in his rookie season.

Maeda will move up a day in the Dodgers' rotation and start Tuesday night against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda was set to start Wednesday while Jose De Leon got the ball Tuesday night, but manager Dave Roberts decided to swap the assignments. Maeda will still take on the same Padres team he was originally scheduled to face, just a day earlier. Moving Maeda up a day also would allow him to pitch on regular rest if the Dodgers need him Sunday for the final game of the regular season.