Thursday, October 8, 2020, Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas, 9:08 p.m. ET
Dodgers at Padres Betting Preview: Dodgers (odds TBA), Padres (odds TBA)
Los Angeles Dodgers
One game from advancing to yet another NL Championship Series, the Dodgers appear to have their offense on back track. Cody Bellinger hit a home run Wednesday, just his third since the start of September. He also had a key homer-saving catch over the center field wall on a drive by Fernando Tatis Jr.
The Dodgers amassed 11 hits Wednesday after collecting no more than six in three previous playoff games. Justin Turner, Will Smith, AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor are a combined 2-for-23 in the first two games of the NL Division Series.
Los Angeles had not named a starter for Game 3, but its first concern might be what they do at closer. Manager Dave Roberts would not commit to using Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning beyond Wednesday after the right-hander gave up two runs and nearly cost the team the chance at the Game 2 victory. Joe Kelly got a shaky save after replacing Jansen. Hard-throwing Brusdar Graterol might be under consideration for ninth-inning work, too.
San Diego Padres
The Padres are down 2-0 in the NLDS and are one loss away from the end of their breakout season, but they actually might be the team with momentum in the series.
Mitch Moreland and Trent Grisham had RBI hits in the ninth inning to pull the Padres within a run. San Diego eventually loaded the bases with a chance to go ahead before Eric Hosmer grounded out.
The Padres will hand the ball to rookie Adrian Morejon for the start in Game 3. The 21-year-old left-hander finished 2-2 with a 4.66 ERA in nine games (four starts) during the regular season, with his two longest outings each lasting three innings. He had a pair of scoreless relief appearances against the St. Louis Cardinals in the wild-card series, when he allowed a hit and no walks while striking out two over a total of three innings.
Dodgers at Padres Betting Pick for Game 4
The Padres are getting their legs under them in the series and have their offense on track now. San Diego might not have been favored in the series, but getting swept did not seem likely, and it’s now or never to get a game.
The Dodgers had the best bullpen in the NL with a 2.74 ERA during the regular season, but the Padres have been adept at covering entire games with their bullpen, which should come in handy for Game 3.
Dodgers at Padres Betting Pick:
Padres 6, Dodgers 4
Dodgers at Padres Best Bet for Game 4
The Dodgers and Padres both look as if they are in a flow on offense. With both teams likely to run a parade of pitchers to the mound, the run total should rise.
Dodgers at Padres Best Bet: OVER (run total and odds TBA)
–Field Level Media
