The Los Angeles Dodgers will face off with the San Diego Padres for the second of a three-game series at Petco Park. It's time to continue our MLB odds series with a Dodgers-Padres prediction and pick.
The Dodgers defeated the Padres 6-1 on Friday night in San Diego. The Padres held the Dodgers scoreless through four innings and led 1-0 entering the fifth. Then, Mookie Betts crushed a solo home run to deep left field to tie the game at 1-1. It was his first home run in 2022. Then, a few batters later, Max Muncy clobbered a solo home run to right field that extended just beyond the leaping grasp of right-fielder Will Myers. The homer was his second of the season. Later, Muncy struck again, as he delivered an RBI double that scored Betts and Freddie Freeman to make it 4-1. The Dodgers tacked on two more to cement the game.
Julio Urias pitched efficiently, allowing one earned run on two hits through five innings. Additionally, the Los Angeles bullpen tossed four scoreless innings to overcome San Diego. Nick Martinez tossed 4 2/3 innings while allowing two earned runs on four hits. However, the San Diego bullpen was not efficient. Padres relievers allowed four runs throughout the rest of the game. Thus, the bullpen must find a way to rebound from the letdown and produce better results.
The Dodgers are 10-3 and in first place in the NL West. Meanwhile, the Padres are 9-6 and in fourth place in the NL West.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Dodgers-Padres MLB odds:
MLB Odds: Dodgers-Padres Odds
Dodgers: -1.5 (+152) ML (-116)
Padres: +1.5 (-184) ML (-102)
Over: 8 (-106)
Under: 8 (-114)
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Why The Dodgers Should Cover The Spread
Los Angeles will go with Tyler Anderson on the hill. He is replacing Andrew Heaney, who recently suffered a shoulder injury. Now, the Dodgers hope the veteran Anderson can give them a quality start. Anderson is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two appearances out of the bullpen. Consequently, he started two games against the Padres in 2021 as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Anderson went 1-1 while allowing three earned runs combined in both starts. Today, he hopes to replicate that pattern as he faces a Padres lineup that is still without Fernando Tatis Jr., who is recovering from a fracture in his left hand.
The Dodgers have some of the best sluggers in the game. Muncy and Betts went yard last night. Additionally, the Dodgers have Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner. They will need their sluggers to produce to get to Yu Darvish early and force him out of his game early. The Dodgers rank in the top ten in batting average, on-base percentage, runs scored, home runs, and slugging percentage. Additionally, Los Angeles is the top team in the majors in ERA, batting average against, and limiting walks per inning.
The Dodgers will cover the spread if Anderson gives them a quality start. Additionally, if Los Angeles can get to Darvish early, they will wrestle control of this game and force San Diego to rally from behind. Lastly, the Dodgers will cover the spread if their defense excels and limits mistakes.
Why The Padres Should Cover The Spread
San Diego will go with Darvish on Saturday. He is 1-1 with a 6.28 ERA. Darvish has had an up-and-down season so far. He did not allow a hit through six innings in his first start. Then, he struggled, allowing eight runs on nine hits through 1 2/3 innings in his second outing. Darvish rebounded by pitching 6 2/3 innings and allowing one earned run on four hits in his last start. The only blemish was a home run. Which Darvish will appear on Saturday against the Dodgers? In 2021, he went 2-3 in five starts against Los Angeles. Additionally, he pitched deep into games on three occasions.
The offense needs to support Darvish. The Padres are a top-ten team in on-base percentage and runs. The key factor will be delivering with runners in scoring position. Consequently, the Padres hitters need to awaken. Manny Machado and Eric Hosmer must light up this offense that could not gain traction against Los Angeles last night.
The Padres will cover the spread if Darvish delivers a top-notch performance. Additionally, giving him run support could go a long way toward helping San Diego succeed. The Padres need better results from their bullpen, which allowed four runs in the opener.
Final Dodgers-Padres Prediction & Pick
The Dodgers winning by more than a run offers plenty of incentives. Can they get to Darvish early and hold down the Padres and their offense for the second night in a row? Likewise, the Dodgers are going with Anderson is worrying as he is not a top-notch starter in the slightest. Additionally, the Padres are rolling with Darvish. This feels every bit like a Padres victory in the wings. Take San Diego to win this game straight.
Final Dodgers-Padres Prediction & Pick: Padres Moneyline (-102)
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