Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres Picks, Predictions, Odds

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres Betting Analysis

Padres hosts Dodgers at Petco Park for Game second of a two-game series on Thursday, September 29, 2022.

Los Angeles leads the National League West at 106-48, putting together a 52-27 record when playing away from Dodger Stadium. Their divisional opponent San Diego is currently in second place and 20 games behind, as the Padres are 86-68 and 41-32 at home.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres Betting Prediction

Other than breaking the Dodgers single season win record, Los Angeles does not have much to play for in this matchup as they have already clinched the division along with the best record in baseball. Prior to the results of game-two on Wednesday night, the Dodgers lost game one of this series and are 6-4 SU over their last 10 games. Los Angeles has simply been dominating both sides of the ball throughout the entire season. The offense ranks amongst the best in the league with a batting average of .258 (4th), on base percentage of .335 (1st), slugging percentage of .446 (1st) and have scored 815 total runs (1st). Their bullpen is also arguably the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.05 (1st) and team ERA of 2.82 (1st). The southpaw Andrew Heaney (3-3, 3.06 ERA) is expected to start for Los Angeles on Thursday.  

With the Dodgers already clinching the division, San Diego’s only option for a playoff run is through a Wild Card berth. The Padres are currently second in the NL Wild Card race with a three-game lead over the third place Phillies and four-game lead over the fourth place Milwaukee Brewers. San Diego has been playing solid baseball as of late, winning eight of their last 10 games. The offense has progressed nicely since the beginning of the season and have a batting average of .241 (18th), on base percentage of .318 (8th), slugging percentage of .383 (21st) and have scored 682 total runs (11th). Their bullpen is a big reason why this team is in contention for a Wild Card berth as they have been consistent throughout the season with a WHIP of 1.21 (9th) and team ERA of 3.83 (11th). The left-hander Sean Manaea (7-9, 5.23 ERA) is scheduled to start Thursday.  

While the Padres have much more motivation in this matchup, I still like the Dodgers to take game-three of this series. Manaea has pitched twice this season against Los Angeles and allowed a combined 16 hits and 15 runs in only 8.1 innings of work. I expect the Dodgers to have similar success against Manaea in this one. Backing Los Angeles here as I think their lineup will once again overwhelm Manaea.  

Score Prediction: Dodgers 5, Padres 3
Best Bet: Dodgers ML

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres Betting Odds

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres Betting Resources

• Date: Thursday, September 29, 2022
• Matchup: NL West
• Venue: Petco Park
• Location: San Diego, California
• Time-TV: 9:40 p.m. ET – MLB Network
• Expert Picks

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres – Current Form

The Dodgers went 2-2 against the Diamondbacks last Thursday, but then went 2-2 to the Cardinals in their next game on Sunday. Their worst game was on Friday, when the Los Angeles Dodgers failed to score a single run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first contest of a three-game series. 

The Padres have played excellent recently, highlighted by San Diego posting back-to-back series victories over the Cardinals and the Rockies squads, resulting in a solid 4-2 record across that window. The Cardinals were unable to score a single run against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, which was San Diego’s best result in the last two series.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres – Pitching Matchup

Los Angeles: Andrew Heaney (3-3, 3.06 ERA)

Andrew Heaney is on the hill for the Dodgers in this contest as he makes his 14th start of the season hoping to build some positive momentum. He comes in 3-3 with a 3.06 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP, 18 walks and 97 strikeouts over 64.2 innings of work this season. The Dodgers were no match for the St. Louis Cardinals, losing 0-11 on September 23, 2022 behind Heaney’s losing start with 3.2 innings of work. The 31-year-old yielded four runs on four hits, while striking out five and issuing two walks. Heaney owns a 1-1 road record this season in seven starts away from Dodger Stadium. In those away outings, he has posted a 2.70 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, six walks, and 49 strikeouts in 30 innings of work.

San Diego: Sean Manaea (7-9, 5.23 ERA)

Sean Manaea takes the mound in the series final as he makes his 27th start of the season for the Padres in this contest. He comes in 7-9 with a 5.23 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP, 49 walks and 147 strikeouts over 148 innings of work on the year. San Diego’s 30-year-old left-hander didn’t factor in the decision in his last start, which came on the road against the Colorado Rockies September 23, 2022. He threw 3.2 innings, allowing three runs on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts in a 4-3 the Padres loss. In 11 home starts this season, Manaea has compiled a 5-3 record in 64.2 innings, while striking out 56, walking 25 batters, and putting together a 4.04 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres – Series History

The 2021 campaign was dominated by the Dodgers, who went 12-7 in this season's series. In 17 games this season, Los Angeles has won 12 of the meetings.