Padres vs Dodgers: Game 1 of the NLDS Preview
For the third time in five years, the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers, two fierce rivals from the NL West, are set to clash in the Division Series. Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday at Dodger Stadium, and the stakes couldnโt be higher. As the teams prepare to face off, online sportsbooks have made the Dodgers a -135 moneyline favorite in the latest MLB odds.
Padres vs Dodgers Game 1 Odds
Teams | Run Line | Moneyline | Total |
---|---|---|---|
San Diego Padres | +1.5 (-192) | +114 | O 7.5 (-115) |
LA Dodgers | -1.5 (+160) | -135 | U 7.5 (-105) |
The first pitch is set for 8:05 PM ET, and fans can catch the action on FS1. With a total of 7.5 runs, this matchup promises to be an exciting one, especially given the offensive firepower on both sides.
Probable Pitchers
Dylan Cease (San Diego Padres)
Dylan Cease, who finished the regular season with a record of 14-11 and a 3.47 ERA, will take the mound for the Padres. This will be just his second career playoff start, as he was not needed in the Wild Card Round. Ceaseโs last outing was against the Dodgers, where he allowed five hits and three runs over five innings, ultimately earning a no-decision in a close 4-3 loss.
Ceaseโs performance has been inconsistent over the final months of the season, with seven of his last ten appearances yielding three runs or more. Facing a potent Dodgers lineup, he will need to find his rhythm quickly to keep the game competitive.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LA Dodgers)
On the other side, the Dodgers will hand the ball to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who boasts a 7-2 record and a 3.00 ERA. Originally, Jack Flaherty was expected to start, but the Dodgers opted for Yamamoto, who has not pitched on less than six daysโ rest all season. This decision allows him an extra day of rest should the series extend to a fifth game.
Yamamoto has faced challenges this season, including a shoulder injury that sidelined him for nearly three months. He has only pitched into the fifth inning once since June and struggled in his lone matchup against the Padres, where he was tagged for eight hits and eight runs, including two home runs.
Expect Plenty of Offense
The rivalry between the Padres and Dodgers has often led to high-scoring games, and this series is expected to be no different. Six of their matchups this season produced at least nine runs, with the Padres holding an 8-5 advantage in the season series.
While the Dodgersโ lineup garners much of the attention, the Padres also feature a formidable roster. Manny Machado has been a consistent run producer, averaging nearly an RBI per game in the second half of the season. Additionally, stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Jurickson Profar, and rookie Jackson Merrill add depth to San Diegoโs offense.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, are led by the electrifying Shohei Ohtani, who is making his postseason debut after a historic regular season. Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal over 50 bases in a single season. He finished the regular season with an impressive .509 batting average in September, contributing significantly to the Dodgersโ offensive prowess.
Other key players for LA include Teoscar Hernandez, who hit 33 home runs this season, and Mookie Betts, with Freddie Freeman expected to play despite recent ankle issues.
Padres vs Dodgers Prediction
With both teams boasting significant offensive talent, the outcome of this game and series will likely hinge on pitching performance. Here, the Padres may hold the upper hand. The Dodgersโ starting rotation has been plagued by injuries, and their bullpen does not match the caliber of San Diegoโs.
The Padresโ bullpen is arguably the best in baseball, showcasing the highest strikeout-to-walk percentage and the lowest FIP and SIERA. They demonstrated their effectiveness in the Wild Card Round, holding the Braves to just seven hits over eight-plus innings while striking out seven batters against only one walk. This level of performance will be crucial as they may be called upon early in Game 1.
Betting Insights
- San Diego Padres Moneyline: +115 at DraftKings
- Over 7.5 Runs: -115 at DraftKings
As the Padres and Dodgers gear up for this highly anticipated matchup, fans can expect a thrilling game filled with intense rivalry and high stakes. The combination of strong pitching, explosive batting, and playoff atmosphere makes this an unmissable event for baseball enthusiasts.