The Los Angeles Dodgers get set to host the San Diego Padres in an exciting NL West battle on Monday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Dodgers-Padres prediction and pick.

This is one of the best rivalries in the majors this season. The Dodgers and Padres are two teams that will almost certainly be going head-to-head in October with a chance to reach the World Series. Although the Padres have been struggling of late, they are still within striking distance of the Dodgers and the Giants in the NL West. This crucial series could have a serious impact on seeding come September.

Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Dodgers-Padres odds.

MLB Odds: Dodgers-Padres Odds

Los Angeles Dodgers +1.5 (-192)

San Diego Padres -1.5 (+167)

Over 7 Runs (-116)

Under 7 Runs (-104)

Why The Dodgers Could Cover The Spread

The Los Angeles Dodgers are surging at the right time as they head into the dog days of summer. Los Angeles just completed a three-game sweep over the Arizona Diamondbacks and have now won 10 of their last 12 games to date. The Dodgers are 44-27 and have the second-best record in the National League behind the NL West-leading San Francisco Giants. Los Angeles continues to win games despite key injuries to guys like Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, and Corey Seager. A surprising source of offense has come from Albert Pujols, who has six home runs and 16 RBI in 26 games with the Dodgers.

Los Angeles will turn to left-hander Julio Urias for the first game of this rivalry series. The Dodgers southpaw has put together a solid season with a 9-2 record and 3.54 ERA through his first 14 starts of the season. Urias has made eight career appearances against the Padres, going 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA. This will be his first start against the San Diego Padres this season. Urias has really increased his strikeout numbers this year with 90 punch-outs through 84 innings of work.

Why The Padres Could Cover The Spread

The San Diego Padres are one of the most talented clubs in the league and despite their recent struggles, they are likely looking at a postseason appearance for the second year in a row. The Padres snapped a 4-13 skid with an impressive four-game sweep over the Cincinnati Reds this past weekend. San Diego is five games back of the Giants in the division and trails this Dodgers club by 3.5 games. The Padres are 4-1 in their last five games against Los Angeles and will look to continue the recent success in a crucial June series against their division rivals.

San Diego will turn to right-hander Yu Darvish for the series opener. Darvish has been very impressive this season with a 6-2 record and 2.57 ERA through his first 14 starts of the season. San Diego won 11 of Darvish’s first 12 starts, but have lost two straight since. Despite the losses, the Padres right-hander was sharp in his two most recent starts. Darvish has been a strikeout machine this season with 97 through 84 innings of work.

Final Dodgers-Padres Prediction & Pick

These two pitchers have been very productive this season, but I like the over because of how potent the lineups have been. Both teams score a combined 9.76 runs per game, which is well over the total set for this contest. Both offenses have been on a tear of late and should be able to put runs on the board regardless of who’s on the bump. The over has hit in four of the last five Dodgers games against the NL West while it has also hit in the last five Padres games coming in.

FINAL PICK: Over 7 Runs (-116)