Caleb Ferguson is in line for his first start of the season as the Los Angeles Dodgers (91-41) face off against the San Diego Padres (74-60) at Dodger Stadium on Sunday with the three-game series in the balance. The Dodgers evened up the series 1-1 after winning 12-1 on Saturday, their ninth head-to-head victory in 12 games this season. Starter Julio Urias went six innings to get the win, giving up one run on two hits. Mookie Betts went 2 for 4 with a home run and a triple in the win. He scored three runs and had three RBIs. Freddie Freeman went 3 for 3 with three runs and one RBI. Manny Machado was 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the Padres.
ON THE MOUND
Mike Clevinger (5-5, 3.63 ERA) is slated to take the mound for San Diego. The right-hander allowed two runs over five innings in his last start, a 6-5 road win over the Giants on Monday. He earned the win, scattering five hits while striking out three and walking one. Clevinger has made one previous start against the Dodgers this season, an 8-3 road loss on August 6. He surrendered five runs on seven hits over 4.2 innings, striking out three and walking one. Southpaw Ferguson (1-0, 1.85 ERA) will take the mound for Los Angeles, his first start of the season. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Padres. In his last appearance on Thursday, Ferguson pitched in relief on the road against the Mets. He threw one inning and gave up two runs on three hits, striking out one, in the 5-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, San Diego has averaged 4.6 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.4. Against left-handed pitchers like Ferguson this season, the Padres have a .702 OPS. Ha-Seong Kim has been the team’s biggest on-base threat against left-handers with a .384 OBP in 127 at-bats. Los Angeles is averaging only 4.2 runs per game in the last five, down from 5.4 for the season, with their slash line dropping across the board (.204/.295/.370). The Dodgers have a .789 OPS against righties in 2022, highest in MLB. With a .932 OPS over 361 at-bats, Freeman has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
San Diego is 39-32 away from home in 2022, scoring 5.0 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Los Angeles has gone 46-17 at home this season, averaging 5.4 runs per game while surrendering 3.3. Los Angeles is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings at Dodger Stadium with an average scoreline of 5.8-2.3.
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 second.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Los Angeles Dodgers
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
