San Diego Padres (73-59) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (90-40)
It is a heated battle between NL West rivals when the San Diego Padres take on the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. This is the second of a three-game set between these teams. This preview was written prior to the conclusion of Friday night’s game. Los Angeles entered the series as losers of two straight games and are 6-4 in their last 10 while San Diego had won seven of their last 10 entering the series, including their last three.
Through the first 10 meetings between these teams during the season, the Dodgers are 8-2, including going 6-1 at home. The Dodgers are the favorite at -120 with the odds set for the Padres at +180. When giving up 1.5 runs, Los Angeles is at -105 while San Diego is at -115 when receiving 1.5 runs. The total is set at 8.5 (over: -1 10, under: -110).
The Padres entered this series holding the final wild-card spot in the National League. They hold a 3.0-game edge over the Milwaukee Brewers. The division race is long over, as San Diego trails Los Angeles by 18 games, but they need to start proving that they can beat the Dodgers if they are going to make any kind of a serious playoff run. The trip to the World Series is definitely going through Dodger Stadium and Jeff Nadu.
Double trouble ??#TimeToShine pic.twitter.com/AvhOi05NNI
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 31, 2022
San Diego enters this contest allowing 4.14 runs per game, 11th overall. The team ERA is 11th overall at 3.79, but they were not as good in August, posting a 3.90 ERA. Sean Manaea gets the start for the Padres. The left-hander is 7-7 with a 4.90 ERA in 24 starts. He has progressively gotten worse over the course of the season, posting a 3.72 ERA in June, then a 5.40 ERA in July, and a 7.88 ERA in August. He was torched for six runs on 10 hits and four innings in his last start against Kansas City (August 28).
That type of pitching performance does not help the San Diego offense. This group is 15th at 4.48 runs per game and they are 21st in home runs with 119. The trade for Juan Soto and Josh Bell was expected to boost this offense, but the two have combined for just five home runs and 15 RBI through their first 26 games with the team. Bell is only hitting .185.