San Diego Padres (91-66) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (93-64)
The thrilling conclusion of the 2024 MLB season is upon fans as Thursday, September 26, features a ten-game lineup. This article focuses on the intense NL West rivalry between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers, taking place at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
The Padres and Dodgers face off in the final game of a three-game series. San Diego claimed the first match with a score of 4-2, while the outcome of the second game will not be analyzed here.
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Padres Secure Playoff Spot
Following their recent victory on Tuesday, the San Diego Padres improved their record to 91-66, marking their fifth consecutive win and ninth in their last ten games. This triumph secured them a playoff spot, narrowing the gap to just two games behind the NL West-leading Dodgers.
In the last few weeks, the Padres have been impressive at the plate, hitting .264 with 29 doubles and 17 home runs in 382 at-bats. Their pitching staff has excelled as well, boasting a remarkable 1.43 ERA and a .166 batting average against.
On Thursday night, Joe Musgrove is slated to pitch for the Padres. The right-hander has a record of 6-5, with a 3.95 ERA over 18 starts this season. Notably, he has not allowed any runs in three of his last four outings.
Musgrove previously faced the Dodgers back in March, during a thrilling match in Seoul, South Korea, where the Padres edged out the Dodgers 15-11. In that game, Musgrove struggled, giving up five earned runs in just 2.2 innings.
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Dodgers Aim to Wrap Up NL West Title
After their loss to the Padres, the Los Angeles Dodgers sit at 93-64. Despite this setback, they maintain the best record in the National League, just ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies. The Dodgers will face the struggling Colorado Rockies in their last series, positioning them well to clinch the NL West title.
Los Angeles has won six of its last nine games. Recently, they have boasted the highest OPS in baseball at .884, hitting 18 doubles, two triples, and 26 home runs in 412 at-bats. However, their pitching has faltered, with a 5.31 ERA in that stretch.
Walker Buehler is expected to start for the Dodgers on Thursday. The righty has struggled this season with a 1-6 record and a 5.63 ERA in 15 starts. In four starts this month, he has gone 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA.
Buehler faced the Padres earlier this season in May, suffering a loss in a 4-0 game at Petco Park, where he allowed three earned runs in 3.1 innings.
Insightful Picks for Padres vs. Dodgers
For this matchup, I favor the Padres despite Joe Musgrove’s historical struggles against the Dodgers, holding an 0-7 record with a 4.48 ERA in 12 career starts. Musgrove has been sharp recently, while Walker Buehler has faced challenges throughout the season.
In his last outing, Buehler took a loss against the Rockies, giving up four earned runs in 5.1 innings. Musgrove, on the other hand, has not allowed a run in his last two starts, totaling 12 innings. While his scoreless streak may end, he still presents a strong chance for the Padres to secure a win.
The Padres’ bullpen has also shined lately, recording a 3-1 mark with six saves and a 2.42 ERA in the past ten days. In contrast, the Dodgers’ bullpen has shown some vulnerabilities, with a 3.92 ERA during the same period.
