NL West rivals meet for the first time this season when the Dodgers and Padres kick off a three-game series in San Diego Friday night. Who do we like for our free MLB pick?
MLB Betting Odds
Friday’s MLB betting odds opened Los Angeles and Kershaw at around -170 over San Diego and Lauer, with an over/under of seven runs. Early betting action then dipped that line down to about -155.
The Dodgers could also be found getting around +110 giving the run and a half on the MLB run line.
Dodgers vs. Padres Set-Up
Los Angeles just dropped two of three games in San Francisco earlier this week, losing Wednesday’s series rubber match 2-1. The Dodgers then had Thursday off.
Los Angeles is only 1-2 over its last three series but thanks to a sweep of Pittsburgh 5-4 over its last nine games. At 20-13 overall the Dodgers lead the NL West by one game over second-place Arizona.
San Diego, meanwhile, just split four games in Atlanta, winning Thursday’s series finale 11-2. So the Padres are 2-0-1 over their last three series and 7-3 over their last 10 games.
At 18-14 overall San Diego sits in third place in the NL West, a game and a half back of first-place Los Angeles.
This series is the first meeting between these teams this season. Last year the Dodgers took the season series from the Padres 14 games to five.
Friday’s Starting Arms
Lefty Lauer is only 1/6 on quality starts this season, but he’s been alright as of late. Last Saturday he held Washington to two runs and two hits through 5 2/3 innings of an 8-3 Padres victory. And over his last three starts, he’s allowed seven earned runs and 16 hits through 15 2/3 innings, with 16 strikeouts.
San Diego is 3-3 with Lauer this season.
In three starts last year against Los Angeles Lauer allowed just two runs and 15 hits through 19 2/3 innings, with 18 whiffs. The Padres won all three of those games.
Fellow southpaw Kershaw is 3/3 on quality starts this season. Last Saturday he limited the Pirates to one run and four hits through seven innings of a 3-1 Dodgers victory. And over his three starts, he’s allowed just five runs and 11 hits through 20 innings, with 21 strikeouts.
On the season Los Angeles is 3-0 with Kershaw, although only 1-2 against the run line.
In two starts last year against San Diego Kershaw allowed two ER and nine hits through 14 innings, with 14 whiffs. The Dodgers won both those games.
Friday’s Batting Splits
Los Angeles is batting .237/.332/.418 against left-handed pitching this season.
San Diego is batting .204/.284/.403 against LH pitching this season.
The Bullpens
The Dodgers bullpen owns a 4.62 ERA this season, along with a 1.24 WHIP and a 112/37 K/BB ratio.
The Padres pen owns a 3.57 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP and a 128/40 K/BB ratio.
Totals Report
- Overs are 17-16 in Dodgers games this season.
- Unders are 17-13-2 in Padres games this season.
- Unders are 11-4 in games played at Petco Park this season.
- Overs finished 11-7-1 in Dodgers-Padres games last season.
- Get more details: LA Dodgers at San Diego Padres MLB Match-up Stats
