Free MLB Picks Today: Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Diego Padres 5/12/23

The Los Angeles Dodgers (23-15), one of the highest-scoring lineups in the league, are set to host the San Diego Padres (19-19) at Dodger Stadium on Friday for the first of a three-game series.

The Padres are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Twins, dropping the finale 5-3 on Thursday at Target Field. Fernando Tatis Jr. was 2 for 3 with a solo home run. Juan Soto added two doubles and one RBI.

The Dodgers are playing the first of six games at home after returning from a productive six-game road trip (4-2). They won two of three against the Brewers in their last series, taking the finale 8-1 on Wednesday at American Family Field. Freddie Freeman went 2 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Dodgers have won two of three in the season series between the NL West rivals, including a 5-2 victory in 10 innings in their most recent meeting on Sunday at Petco Park. Caleb Ferguson got the win with one scoreless inning out of the bullpen, and Evan Phillips picked up his fifth save with a scoreless ninth.

ON THE MOUND

Blake Snell (1-5, 4.89 ERA) is set for the start for San Diego. The left-hander takes on the Dodgers in back-to-back starts. He allowed two runs over six innings on Saturday, a 2-1 road defeat. He took the loss, giving up one hit while striking out six and walking three.

For Los Angeles, right-hander Dustin May (4-1, 2.68 ERA) gets the ball. His only prior start against the Padres this season was his last outing, when May held opposing hitters scoreless over six innings in a 2-1 road win on Saturday. He gave up three hits and walked one, while striking out six in the win. The RHP is tied for fourth in the NL in wins.

AT THE PLATE

The San Diego offense is averaging 4.1 runs per game for the season, third lowest in the NL, with a slash line of .231/.321/.392. Soto leads the team in OPS at .860. The right fielder is slashing .246/.406/.454 with six home runs, 19 RBIs, and 21 runs over 38 games.

Over the last five games, though, San Diego has averaged only 3.0 runs a game while performing worse across the board (.194/.271/.324). Against right-handed pitchers like May this season, the Padres have a .680 OPS. Soto also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a 1.064 OPS in 85 at-bats.

Los Angeles is slashing .232/.327/.450 for the season and averaging 5.5 runs per game, fourth best in MLB. Four Dodgers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by James Outman (.952).

The center fielder has eight home runs, 23 RBIs, and 26 runs scored with a slash line of .281/.374/.578. The Dodgers have a .709 OPS against southpaws in 2023. With a .979 OPS over 33 at-bats, Outman also has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

San Diego is 9-8 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.1 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. Los Angeles has won six in a row at their home ballpark.

The Dodgers are 12-6 at home this season, averaging 6.0 runs per game while surrendering 3.1. Los Angeles is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the teams at Dodger Stadium with an average scoreline of 5.9-3.0.