The Dodgers own the NL West, but the Padres think they’ve got a shot this season, heading into the opener of a big three-game rivalry series Monday night in San Diego. Who do we like here for our free MLB pick?
MLB Betting Odds
Monday’s MLB betting odds opened LA and Buehler at around -125 over San Diego and Paddack, with an over/under of eight runs. Early betting action then bumped LA about a dime, to around -135.
Dodgers vs. Padres Set-Up
Los Angeles just took three of four games in Arizona over the weekend, winning Sunday’s series finale 3-0 behind Clay Kershaw and three relievers. Before that, the Dodgers swept two games from Houston, and before that, they split four games with San Francisco.
Meanwhile, San Diego just dropped two of three games in Colorado over the weekend, losing Sunday’s series rubber match 9-6. Just prior to that, the Padres took two of three games at San Francisco, and just before that, they took three of four games from the Diamondbacks.
At 7-3 Los Angeles is tied with the Rockies for first place in the NL West, with 6-4 San Diego one game back.
Last year the Dodgers took the season series from the Padres 13-6, going 7-2 at Petco Park.
On the injury front, LA could be without OF Mookie Betts and IF Corey Seager, who are dealing with injuries.
Monday’s Starting Arms
Paddack is one/two on quality starts this season. Last Wednesday, he held San Francisco to two runs and six hits through five innings, although San Diego eventually lost that game 7-6. And five days before that, he held Arizona scoreless on four hits through six frames of a 7-2 Padres victory.
Last year Paddack hit 10/26 on quality starts but also posted a 0.98 WHIP and a 164/58 K/BB ratio. San Diego, a team that finished 22 games under .500 on the season, played 14-12 with Paddack.
However, over three starts last year vs. the Dodgers Paddack got clipped for 12 runs – nine earned – and 14 hits, including four dingers, through 14 1/3 innings. The Padres lost two of those three games.
Buehler is 0/1 on quality starts this season. Last Tuesday, he gave up two runs and three hits through 3 2/3 innings, throwing 56 pitches in a 5-2 Los Angeles win over Houston.
Last year Buehler hit 17/30 on quality starts, posting a 1.04 WHIP and a sparkling 215/37 K/BB ratio. The Dodgers went 19-11 with Buehler last season.
Over two starts last year against the Padres Buehler allowed just one run and nine hits through 15 innings, with 26 strikeouts against two walks. The Dodgers won both of those games.
Monday’s Batting Splits
Los Angeles batted .261 last year against right-handed pitching, with a .343 team OBP and a .482 team slugging percentage.
San Diego batted .234/.301/.404 vs. RH pitching last season.
MLB Betting Trends
- Los Angeles played 47-34 on the road last season.
- San Diego played 36-45 at home last season.
- Los Angeles played an ML-best 77-34 vs. right-handed starters last season.
- San Diego played 56-70 vs. RH starters last season.
Totals Report
- Unders are 7-2 in Dodgers games this season.
- Totals are split 5-5 in Padres games this season.
- Overs played 39-37 in games played at Petco Park last season.
- Unders played 10-8 in Dodgers-Padres games last season.
- Unders played 14-10 in Paddack’s starts last year.
- Overs played 15-14 in Buehler’s starts last year.
- Get more details: LA Dodgers vs. SD Padres MLB Match-up Stats
