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

The Los Angeles Dodgers (19-13) take one of the most productive lineups in the league on the road to face the San Diego Padres (17-15) at Petco Park on Friday for the opener of a three-game series. The Dodgers are embarking on a six-game road trip after wrapping up an unbeaten six-game homestand.

They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Phillies, taking the finale 10-6 on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium for their sixth straight win. Chris Taylor was 2 for 3 with a triple and two runs. James Outman added two doubles and two runs.

The Padres are in the midst of an eight-game homestand. They won two of three against the Reds in their last series, taking the finale 7-1 on Wednesday at Petco Park. Brett Sullivan went 2 for 4 with a home run and a double. He had four RBIs.

Juan Soto added a double and three RBIs, walking three times. The teams are meeting for the first time since 2022 National League Divisional Playoffs, which the Padres won in four games.

The Dodgers dominated the regular season series between the NL West rivals (14-5), although they dropped three out of four in their most recent meeting at Petco Park in October.

ON THE MOUND

Clayton Kershaw (5-1, 1.89 ERA) is set to take the mound for Los Angeles. The southpaw is tied for the NL lead in wins and is fourth in ERA. Kershaw threw seven scoreless innings in his last start, a 1-0 home win over the Cardinals on Saturday. He earned the win, giving up two hits while striking out nine. Over two starts against the Padres in 2022, Kershaw was 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA over 12 innings.

He had 11 strikeouts and one walk. Right-hander Joe Musgrove (1-0, 10.80 ERA) will take the mound for San Diego. Musgrove made three appearances against the Dodgers in 2022, all as the starter, striking out 23 and walking six over 17.1 innings (0-2, 3.63).

In his last start on Saturday, Musgrove took a no-decision at home against the Giants. He threw 3.1 innings and gave up seven runs on six hits, striking out three and walking one in the 16-11 victory.

AT THE PLATE

The Los Angeles offense is averaging 5.7 runs per game for the season, fourth best in MLB, with a slash line of .238/.335/.461. Four Dodgers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Max Muncy (1.040). The second baseman is slashing .239/.398/.641 with 12 home runs, 27 RBIs, and 22 runs over 28 games.

Over the last five games, though, Los Angeles has averaged 8.6 runs a game while performing better across the board (.324/.418/.555). Against righties like Musgrove this season, the Dodgers have an .828 OPS, second highest in MLB.

Muncy also is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a 1.170 OPS in 62 at-bats. San Diego is slashing .233/.320/.403 for the season and averaging 4.3 runs per game. Xander Bogaerts leads the team with ann .856 OPS.

The left fielder has six home runs, 13 RBIs, and 22 runs scored with a slash line of .291/.378/.479. San Diego is averaging 7.6 runs per game in the last five with a higher slash line (.328/.410/.572).

The Padres have a .743 OPS against southpaws in 2023. With a 1.137 OPS over 31 at-bats, Trent Grisham has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Los Angeles is 7-7 away from home in 2023, scoring 5.3 runs per game while allowing 6.1 runs. San Diego has gone 9-9 at home this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.3.

The teams have split their last 10 meetings head-to-head at Petco Park, though Los Angeles has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.8-2.9.