The Dodgers are looking for the sweep over the Padres on Thursday evening in San Diego, after the two teams played a 16-inning marathon last night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Dodgers-Padres prediction and pick.
In one of the craziest MLB games in years, the Dodgers emerged as 5-3 winners after over five hours of baseball. While a 16-inning game is always filled with excitement, the fact that this occured during the extra-inning ghost-runner-on-second-base year is absolutely unreal.
Neither the Dodgers nor Padres were able to score their “free runner” from the 10th through 14th innings. After both teams scored two runs apiece in the 15th, a two-run blast by the Dodgers in the 16th put them on top for good. With benches and bullpens being used to the max last night, it will be very interesting to see how both managers deal with tired players today. Thankfully for both the Dodgers and Padres, each team has a great pitcher on the mound capable of working deep into the ballgame (Scherzer vs. Darvish).
Here’s how the bookmakers have set the lines for Thursday's game.
MLB Odds: Dodgers-Padres Odds
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Los Angeles Dodgers (-128)
San Diego Padres (+118)
Over 7 1/2 runs (-115)
Under 7 1/2 runs (-105)
Why The Dodgers Could Win
Considering the Dodgers used ten pitchers in last night's game, they'll be glad that Scherzer is pitching in the series finale. The Dodgers ace has pitched at least 6.0 innings in 15 games this season between his time with the Nationals and Dodgers. He has gone at least 7.0 innings in seven of those starts. Pitching deep into the game will be vital for a Dodgers team that hopes to keep its bullpen as rested as possible. And if Scherzer does pitch deep into the game, expect him to pitch well. Since joining the Dodgers in early August, he holds a 2.11 ERA in four starts, with 31 strikeouts. San Diego is 2-8 in their last ten games and are in a major slump. They also played 16 innings of baseball yesterday and managed to record just four hits the entire game. Scherzer should have no problem shutting down this Padres lineup, leading to a Dodgers sweep.
Why The Padres Could Win
Yu Darvish has been absolutely dominant against the Dodgers this season. In three starts against the Dodgers in 2021, Darvish has pitched at least six innings, allowed no more than one run, and has struck out at least nine batters in each of those appearances. For as good as the Dodgers lineup as, Darvish has them beat. The Padres will surely count on Darvish today to go at least seven innings as their bullpen also got an immense amount of work in yesterday (eight relievers). The Padres desperately need a win as they aim to climb back into NL Wild Card contention. Darvish is the man to help them get that elusive win. Also, if the Padres could score three runs on just four hits in 16 innings yesterday, it seems likely that they are due for a bounceback performance at the plate. This lineup, with names including Fernando Tatis Jr. and Adam Frazier, is too good to falter like that again.
Final Dodgers-Padres Prediction & Pick
It's hard to bet against Max Scherzer, which is why the Dodgers are an easy pick here. In a game that sees both pitchers throw gems, I still see the Dodgers winning a close game, 3-1 final score. The Dodgers complete the sweep and get maintain ground with the Giants in the NL West standings.
FINAL PICK: Dodgers MONEYLINE (-128)
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