- What: MLB Divisional Series Playoff Game
- When: Tuesday, October 8th
- Who: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres
- Time: 6:08 p.m. PST
- Where: Petco Park (San Diego, CA)
The Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres resume their National League Division Series in San Diego at Petco Park tonight.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers will be sending Walker Buehler to the mound tonight. Buehler pitched well against the Padres this season, giving up just one run over five innings.
Although his performance in September was inconsistent, it was actually his best month. If he can maintain this level of play in the playoffs, the Dodgers stand a good chance of winning on the road.
Buehler has a notable postseason track record, with 15 starts, 79.2 innings pitched, 61 hits allowed, and 101 strikeouts while maintaining an ERA below 3.00.
Tonight's #NLDS Game 3 Dodgers lineup at Padres: pic.twitter.com/IPP6zoq5gR
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 8, 2024
The Dodgers topped the majors in OPS (.781) in the regular season, but that figure has dropped to just .643 in the first two postseason games. Their bats have gone cold in the playoffs, and Freddie Freeman will be playing with an ankle injury.
Mookie Betts has struggled, and NL MVP frontrunner Shohei Ohtani has only managed a 4-for-30 record with a single home run while playing against the Padres.
San Diego Padres
In the second game of the series, the Padres displayed their impressive offense with a 10-2 victory. San Diego has showcased their lineup throughout the playoffs as a dominant offensive team.
The Padres scored nine runs in two games against the Braves and have already tallied 15 runs in the first two games against the Dodgers. While the Dodgers have struggled at the plate, the Padres have been red-hot, with an OPS of .865 over four games.
Play our game. pic.twitter.com/NRaYiMJHC7
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) October 8, 2024
Fernando Tatis Jr. had an impressive postseason performance last game going 3-for-4 with two home runs. Rookie Jackson Merrill has also been impressive despite his lack of experience.
The Padres will turn to their ace Michael King tonight. They need King to pitch well again, especially now that Joe Musgrove is out. King delivered an outstanding performance in his first playoff start, pitching seven shutout innings against the Braves.
In his last two starts against the Dodgers, King threw 12 innings, conceded zero earned runs on five hits, and struck out 14 batters. They are counting on him for another strong performance. The Padres need at least six innings and fewer than three runs allowed to secure a win.
Dodgers-Padres Best Bet
This would typically be a bounce back spot for the Dodgers and while it’s possible they win this game, I’d be surprised. This Padres team is rolling right now.
Their lineup is a problem for any team to deal with. The Dodgers pitchers and bullpen are at a tremendous disadvantage in this matchup.
They are far too injured, with Clayton Kershaw, Gavin Stone, Joe Kelly, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin and Michael Grove all off the postseason roster.
The Padres on the moneyline is the best bet in this one, lay the juice and take -150.
Can the Phillies continue their October magic against the Mets?
