The San Diego Padres (2-0, 2-0 ATS, 1-1 O/U) face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers (98-64, 81-81 RL, 89-68-5 O/U) in the first game of the NLDS this Saturday evening. San Diego’s pitching will be led by Dylan Cease, while the Dodgers will counter with Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Notably, the Padres dominated their regular-season encounters, winning the series 8-5.
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San Diego’s Impressive Wildcard Performance
In game one, the Padres will rely on Dylan Cease, who had a decent outing in his last game, where he surrendered three runs over five innings against the Dodgers. This resulted in a no-decision for Cease in a game that the Padres ultimately lost. However, the veteran pitcher has posted a commendable 2.97 ERA this month. For the season, he boasts a solid 3.47 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a record of 14-11 across 189.1 innings. Against the Dodgers this season, he has allowed only four runs in 10.2 innings, holding a 2.61 ERA and a 1-1 record in 20.2 career innings against this rival.
Heading into this series, the Padres are filled with confidence. Their performance against the Dodgers this season has been strong, with a record of 8-5, including an even split of 3-3 at Dodger Stadium. Most recently, they swept the Braves in the wildcard round, securing a thrilling 5-4 victory on Wednesday. This roster matches up well against the Dodgers in terms of starting pitching, although Los Angeles has the edge in offensive firepower.
Star player Fernando Tatis Jr. shined in the wildcard series, collecting four hits, including a home run, two RBIs, and a remarkable 1.9 OPS. Against the Dodgers this season, he has amassed six RBIs and an impressive 1.07 OPS. Tatis Jr. has a stellar 1.3 OPS in eight playoff games. Additionally, Kyle Higashioka made his mark in the wildcard series with two home runs and three RBIs, raising his postseason OPS to .802.
As a team, San Diego averages 4.69 runs per game, placing them eighth in the league. Their pitching staff has a collective 3.86 ERA, ranking 12th overall.
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Dodgers Turn to Yamamoto for Game One
Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts has opted to start Yoshinobu Yamamoto in game one. Initially, Jack Flaherty was slated for the start, but the team pivoted to Yamamoto. The right-hander last took the mound on September 28th against the Rockies, where he allowed two runs over five innings, earning a win. Yamamoto, who previously excelled in Japan, signed a lucrative contract before this season. He has lived up to expectations, posting a 3.00 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP with a 7-2 record in 90 innings this year. However, he struggled against the Padres this season, allowing eight runs in six innings.
The Dodgers are feeling the pressure after being swept in last year’s wildcard series. This upcoming matchup poses significant challenges. In their last regular-season series against San Diego, the Dodgers won two out of three games at home. They finished just two wins shy of 100 this season, and despite facing numerous pitching injuries, they still managed to clinch the division by five games.
Star player Shohei Ohtani will be a focal point in this series, as it marks his first playoff appearance. He excelled against the Padres this season with a .922 OPS, hitting 54 home runs and driving in 130 RBIs with a 1.03 OPS overall. Against Cease, Ohtani has four RBIs and a 1.08 OPS. Will Smith also performed well against the Padres, contributing five RBIs with a .677 OPS this season.
Los Angeles averages 5.20 runs per game, which ranks them second overall. Their pitching staff, however, has a 3.90 ERA, placing them 12th in that category.
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Smart Betting Insights for Padres vs. Dodgers
The San Diego Padres carry momentum from their wildcard series sweep over the Braves. In contrast, the Dodgers have been inactive for almost a week, which could be a disadvantage for them. San Diego’s strong performance against Los Angeles this season, with an 8-5 record in their 13 matchups, adds to their confidence.
Moreover, Padres pitcher Dylan Cease has been effective against the Dodgers this season, allowing only four runs across 10.2 innings. He holds an impressive 2.61 career ERA against them. On the other hand, Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto has faced challenges against San Diego, giving up eight runs in six innings during their previous encounter. This will also be Yamamoto’s first experience in the MLB postseason.
