Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres Prediction: Can Manny Machado and the Padres Avoid the Sweep?

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres Prediction: Can Manny Machado and the Padres Avoid the Sweep?

It's been an entertaining series between two World Series contenders in Dodger Stadium, but the Dodgers have taken both of the first two games. The Padres will now try to avoid getting swept by their NL foes behind one of their best arms in Yu Darvish. The Dodgers respond by starting one of their best pitchers in Tyler Anderson. Are the new-look Padres going to be swept in their first series in Los Angeles since the all-star break? Here is my prediction, pick, and odds for the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres.

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

• Date: August 7, 2022
• Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
• Where to Watch: ESPN

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Dodgers vs. Padres Line Movement

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres Prediction

Yu Darvish is having another excellent season, despite a few hiccups along the way. Darvish is 10-4 with a 3.3 ERA on the season, which is inflated by a few bad starts. Darvish has a vast pitch arsenal, throwing a nasty cutter and slider most often, mixed in with his heater when he needs to reach back for a few extra mph. Darvish has been one of the most profitable bets on the first-half line this season.

Darvish is 14-2-3 on the first-five inning lines in his 19 starts this season, making him the second-most profitable pitcher on first-half bets. He also has excellent numbers against the Dodgers in his career. In his eight starts against them, he has a 2.76 ERA. Most recently, he was shelled by the Dodgers in his last time out against them, but I think that sets him up for a nice bounce-back spot here tonight.

Tyler Anderson toes the rubber for the Dodgers, and he has been one of the most reliable pitchers in the league. Anderson is 12-1 with a 2.89 ERA, which lowers to 2.59 at home. Anderson's worst start of the year was actually his previous start, where he gave up five runs in five innings to an injured Giants lineup.

It was surprising to see Anderson struggle this much, but the Dodgers actually still won the game 9-5. Perhaps we are starting to see Anderson regress a little bit? A 12-1 record is insane even for the best pitchers in the league, so while he has looked exceptional, he could be due for some more regression, like in his last start. This Padres' new lineup is too good to be held down for an entire series.

With two excellent starting pitchers on the mound, I think runs will be hard to come by, thus giving value to the Padres, who are catching a half-run on the first-five line. Darvish is 17-2 in 19 starts at covering the +.5 first-half line and has excellent career numbers against them. The Padres' new lineup is due for a win here, and I don't think a lineup this good will get swept. Take the Padres to be tied or winning after five innings on Sunday night baseball.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres Pick

2U Play: Padres F5 +.5 @ -125 (Bet $125 to win $100)

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