The Los Angeles Dodgers (94-42) take their MLB-best lineup on the road to face the San Diego Padres (76-62) at Petco Park on Friday for the first of a three-game series. The Dodgers are playing their first of nine games on the road after wrapping up a productive six-game homestand (4-2). They won two out of three in their last series against the Giants, taking the finale 7-3 on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. Max Muncy was 3 for 5 with a home run, two runs, and three RBIs. Justin Turner added a home run and three RBIs. The Padres are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They won two of three against the Diamondbacks in their last series, taking the finale 6-3 on Wednesday at Petco Park. Jake Cronenworth went 3 for 4 with a solo home run. Jurickson Profar added a home run and two RBIs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Dodgers have won 10 of 13 in the season series between the NL West rivals, including a 9-4 victory in their most recent meeting on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. Reliever Alex Vesia was credited with the win after throwing 1.1 scoreless innings.
ON THE MOUND
Dustin May (1-2, 1.64 ERA) is in line for the start for Los Angeles. The right-hander matches up against the Padres for the second successive start. On September 2, he allowed six runs over five innings, a 7-1 road defeat. He took the loss, scattering four hits while striking out five and walking five. Righty Mike Clevinger (5-6, 3.96 ERA) takes the mound for San Diego. He has made two appearances against the Dodgers this season, both starts, giving up 10 runs over eight innings (0-2, 11.25) with seven strikeouts and three walks. In his last start on Sunday, Clevinger took the loss on the road against the Dodgers. He threw 3.1 innings and gave up five runs on four hits, striking out four and walking two in the 9-4 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Los Angeles offense is averaging 5.4 runs per game for the season, best in MLB, with a slash line of .261/.337/.452. Four Dodgers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Mookie Betts (.911). The right fielder is slashing .280/.348/.563 with 33 home runs, 74 RBIs, and 105 runs over 118 games. Over the last five games, though, Los Angeles has averaged 7.6 runs a game while performing better across the board (.292/.360/.614). Against righties like Clevinger this season, the Dodgers have a .792 OPS, highest in MLB. Freddie Freeman is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .944 OPS in 373 at-bats. San Diego is slashing .241/.320/.381 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. Manny Machado leads the team with a .894 OPS. The third baseman has 26 home runs, 88 RBIs, and 85 runs scored with a slash line of .297/.364/.530. San Diego is averaging only 3.4 runs per game in the last five with their slash line slipping across the board (.186/.260/.348). The Padres have a .700 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .943 OPS over 271 at-bats, Juan Soto has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Los Angeles is 45-24 in away games in 2022, scoring 5.3 runs per game while allowing 3.0 runs. San Diego has gone 37-29 at their home park this season, averaging 3.8 runs per game while surrendering 3.7. In the last 10 games between the teams at Petco Park, each club has won five, though Los Angeles has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.1-3.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Dodgers lead the NL West by 19 games over the Padres. Their magic number to clinch the division is seven. The Padres currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting third with a magic number of zero.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Los Angeles Dodgers (-160)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
