The fierce rivalry in the National League West intensifies as the San Diego Padres (90-66, 2nd NL West) take on the Los Angeles Dodgers (93-63, 1st NL West) in a crucial three-game series starting Tuesday. Both teams enter this matchup off a day of rest, with the Padres recently sweeping the White Sox and the Dodgers winning two of three against the Rockies. San Diego has dominated the season series, claiming victory in seven of their ten encounters with Los Angeles. The Padres will send Michael King (3.04 ERA) to the mound, while Landon Knack (3.39 ERA) will pitch for the Dodgers. Fans can catch the first pitch at 10:10 EST from Dodger Stadium, broadcasted on TBS.
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Challenging Times for the Padres
The San Diego Padres boast the fourth-best record in Major League Baseball and are poised to win the season series against the leading Dodgers. Despite their impressive tally of 90 wins, they have not yet secured a playoff berth with only six games left in the regular season. The NL West is competitive, potentially allowing three teams to make the playoffs, with the Padres and Diamondbacks currently in Wild Card positions. The Padres hold the top Wild Card spot, maintaining a three-game lead over other contenders, and aim to solidify their playoff chances during this series.
In their last outing, the Padres dealt the White Sox their 120th loss of the season, marking a historical low for the franchise. Star player Fernando Tatis Jr. contributed significantly by hitting a pivotal home run in the eighth inning. Tatis expressed the team’s determination to reporters, stating, “What we have been doing over here is really special. We have the talent to go all the way. But it’s time to take care of business one day at a time.” He recorded his 20th home run of the season, joining three other teammates who have also reached that milestone, including club leader Manny Machado with 29 home runs and 104 RBIs. Outfielders Jurickson Profar and Jackson Merrill both follow closely, each with 24 home runs.
Michael King, a 29-year-old right-hander, will make his 30th start of the season. With a record of 12-9, the Padres have struggled in his recent outings, going 1-4 in his last five starts. King holds a 3.04 ERA and ranks ninth in the league for total strikeouts with 198. However, he has also allowed 17 home runs this season. In his latest appearance, King pitched seven innings against the Astros, giving up two earned runs, but ultimately faced defeat.
Dodgers’ Lead Under Threat
While the Dodgers have maintained their lead in the NL West for most of the season, it currently stands at just three games as they prepare for this high-stakes series. Should the Padres manage to sweep the Dodgers, both teams would enter their final series with identical records. The Dodgers will face the Rockies in their concluding matchups, while the Padres take on the Diamondbacks. Although it is a challenging path, claiming the NL West title is within reach for the Padres, but the Dodgers can quash those hopes by winning this series.
The Dodgers recently faced the Rockies, winning two out of three games, and showcased their offensive power in a thrilling Sunday game. In that match, Shohei Ohtani tied the game with a home run, followed by Mookie Betts hitting a walk-off home run to secure the win. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Ohtani’s performance, saying, “To start that ninth inning with Shohei continuing to do what he does, he just doesn’t seem human right now. I really haven’t seen a player as locked like Shohei is for as long as he’s been in quite some time.” Ohtani continues to impress with 53 home runs and 55 stolen bases, marking a groundbreaking 50-50 season. Teoscar Hernandez is also contributing significantly, with 31 home runs and 93 RBIs while batting behind Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman in the lineup.
Landon Knack, a 27-year-old right-hander, will make his 12th start of the season. Knack has a 3-4 record and the Dodgers have gone 3-2 in his last five appearances. He currently holds a 3.39 ERA, with 61 strikeouts and 17 walks, allowing 12 home runs this year. In his last outing, Knack pitched five scoreless innings against the Marlins, demonstrating his potential to perform under pressure.
Best Bets for San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers require just two victories in this series to secure the NL West division title, making it imperative they don’t leave their fate up to the final games. Los Angeles has already clinched a playoff spot and has shown no signs of slowing down, winning four of their last five games. Their offense is thriving, averaging six or more runs in those victories, including an explosive game where Shohei Ohtani hit three home runs and accumulated ten RBIs.
Michael King’s recent struggles against the Dodgers are notable. Although he has a solid overall ERA of 3.04, it rises to 4.11 against Los Angeles, who have hit five home runs off him in three games. King’s aggressive pitching style can be effective against weaker teams, but the Dodgers are known for capitalizing on such opportunities. On the other hand, Landon Knack is coming off a strong performance against the Marlins, having pitched five scoreless innings and struck out seven batters. The Dodgers are poised to assert their dominance in the NL West and could inch closer to the division title with a win in this critical matchup.
