San Diego Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction: Can We Bank on Yu Darvish Dominate?

San Diego Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction: Can We Bank on Yu Darvish Dominate?

The Padres and Diamondbacks meet in Petco Park in San Diego for a three-game series. The Padre's time in first place in the NL West is over, as they've fallen to second place with a 41-27 record. The Dodgers have retaken first, but the Padres can retake first place with a win tonight. The Diamondbacks sit in fourth place in the stacked NL West with a 32-36 record. So what is the best play for the series opener?

Padres vs. Diamondbacks Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: June 20, 2022
• Game Time: 9:40 pm ET
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV

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Padres vs. Diamondbacks Line Movement

San Diego Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction

The Padres will send Yu Darvish out for his 13th start of the season. Darvish is 6-3 with a 3.35 ERA and .97 WHIP (12th in the majors). Darvish is coming off an eight-inning outing against the Cubs, where he allowed just one run. Darvish has a 2.38 ERA in June with starts against the Cubs, Mets, and Cardinals. He has also been fascinating at home. Darvish is 3-1 at home over 5 starts with a 1.35 ERA, compared to 3-2 on the road over 7 starts with a 4.93 ERA. Unfortunately for the Diamondbacks, they have to face Darvish at home. In Darvish's first start against the Diamondbacks this season, he pitched six scoreless innings while striking out just three. I expect a similar performance from one of the best home pitchers in the league.

Zack Davies gets the nod for the Diamondbacks, and he has been a pleasant surprise for the desert snakes. Davies has a 3.78 ERA on the season, just .43 points behind Darvish, but he has a 2-3 record due to run support. In June alone, Davies pitched seven scoreless innings against the Reds but earned a no-decision, as his team lost 3-5 in extra innings. Two starts previous, he pitched 7.2 scoreless innings against the Pirates but earned another no-decision as they lost 1-2. These starts were against two of the worst teams in the MLB, and now the Diamondbacks have to travel to face NL West foes who have looked unstoppable, despite Fernando Tatis still sitting on the IL.

Yu Darvish has been one of the most profitable pitchers to back on the first-five line this season. Darvish has a 9-1-2 record on the first-five line, including a shutout win over the Diamondbacks already this season. Zack Davies has looked excellent over his last three starts and has gotten his ERA down, but those three starts were against the Reds and Pirates, and the Padres are a significant step-up in competition. Back Darvish with a 9-1-2 first-five record to make it double digits tonight.

San Diego Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Pick

• 2U: Padres F5 -.5 (-120) (Bet $120 to Win $100)

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