Tuesday, October 6, 2020, Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas, 9:38 p.m. ET
Padres at Dodgers Betting Preview: Padres (odds TBA), Dodgers (odds TBA)
San Diego Padres
The Padres won four of their 10 games against the Dodgers in the regular season, but one thing they figured out how to do is to start each series on a positive note. San Diego won the opener in all three of the matchups with the Dodgers, but Los Angeles took the last two in each set.
All eyes are on the Padres’ NLDS roster decisions with right-handers Mike Clevinger (elbow) and Dinelson Lamet (biceps) still not ruled out for the series despite missing the wild-card round. Rosters are Tuesday afternoon, well before the first pitch of Game 1.
Fernando Tatis Jr., the heart and soul of the new-look Padres, batted just .205 with a .385 slugging percentage against the Dodgers, hitting two home runs and drive in four runs. Manny Machado had two home runs and six RBIs against his former team.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Walker Buehler will start in Game 1 carrying lingering blister concerns. He has pitched just twice since two stints on the injured list in September. He went four innings in Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Milwaukee Brewers, allowing two runs and striking out eight in a game the Dodgers won 4-2.
With the best bullpen in the National League (2.74 regular-season ERA), the Dodgers will take what they get out of Buehler and let the relievers handle the rest. But while Julio Urias backed him up in Game 1 vs. Milwaukee, the left-hander might be held back for a potential start later in the San Diego series.
The Dodgers offense led the majors in home runs (118) and runs (349) this year, but Los Angeles scored just seven runs in two games of the wild-card round, and two of those came on two bases-loaded walks during the first inning of Game 1 against Brewers opener Brent Suter.
Padres at Dodgers Betting Pick for Game 1
The Dodgers will not be able to glide through the Padres as they did against the Brewers, and they will need to get the offense going. Corey Seager hit their only home run in the wild-card series while Mookie Betts had three of the team’s five doubles.
The Padres appear to be on a mission, hitting six home runs in three games of the opening round, including two apiece from Tatis and Wil Myers in Game 2.
Padres at Dodgers Betting Pick:
Padres 6, Dodgers 5
Padres at Dodgers Best Bet for Game 1
The NLDS is longer than the wild-card round was, but expect a sense of urgency from both teams. While that could mean players who are pressing, the Dodgers’ experience and the Padres’ energy likely translates into runs scored.
Padres at Dodgers Best Bet: OVER (total runs and odds TBA)
–Field Level Media
