The Los Angeles Dodgers (90-40) and their MLB-best lineup are set to host the San Diego Padres (73-59) at Dodger Stadium on Friday for the first of a three-game series. The Padres are kicking off the final series of their nine-game road trip. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Giants, taking the finale 5-4 on Wednesday at Oracle Park. Wil Myers was 2 for 3 with a double and one run. The Dodgers are playing the first of six games at home after returning from a seven-game road trip (4-3). They lost two of three against the Mets in their last series, dropping the finale 5-3 on Thursday at Citi Field. Justin Turner’s hitting streak is now at 11 as he went 2 for 2 with a double, one run, and one RBI.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Dodgers have won eight of 10 in the season series between the NL West rivals, including a 4-0 victory in their most recent meeting on August 7 at Dodger Stadium. Tyler Anderson threw seven scoreless innings to get the win.
ON THE MOUND
Yu Darvish (11-7, 3.41 ERA) is slated to get the start for San Diego. The RHP allowed three runs over seven innings in his last start, a 4-3 road win over the Royals on Saturday. He earned the win, scattering five hits while striking out six and walking two. Over three previous starts against the Dodgers this season, Darvish has allowed seven earned runs over 18 innings (0-2, 3.50). He has struck out 22 and walked three. Right-hander Dustin May (1-1, 1.64 ERA) will toe the rubber for Los Angeles. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Padres. May made one start against the Padres in 2021, throwing six innings in an 8-7 home defeat on April 25. He gave up two hits and walked one, while striking out 10 in the no-decision. In his last start on Saturday, May took the loss on the road against the Marlins. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out four and walking one in the 2-1 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The San Diego offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .242/.321/.382. Manny Machado leads the team in OPS at .907. The third baseman is slashing .304/.373/.534 with 24 home runs, 85 RBIs, and 83 runs over 121 games. Against righties like May this season, the Padres have a .701 OPS. Juan Soto is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .957 OPS in 261 at-bats. Los Angeles is slashing .262/.338/.451 for the season and averaging 5.3 runs per game, best in the league. Five Dodgers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Freddie Freeman (.913). The first baseman has 16 home runs, 81 RBIs, and 93 runs scored with a slash line of .326/.398/.515. Los Angeles is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five with their slash line slipping across the board (.218/.307/.335). The Dodgers have a .799 OPS against right-handers in 2022, highest in the league. With a .950 OPS over 351 at-bats, Freeman also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
San Diego is on a three-game winning streak on the road, bringing their record to 38-31 in 2022. The Padres have scored 5.0 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.5 runs. Los Angeles has gone 45-16 at Dodger Stadium this season, averaging 5.4 runs per game while surrendering 3.3. Los Angeles is 9-1 in the last 10 games at Dodger Stadium between the teams with an average scoreline of 5.8-2.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Dodgers lead the NL West by 18 games over the Padres. The Padres currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting third with a magic number of zero.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Los Angeles Dodgers (-185)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
