Astros vs. Rangers Game 3 Picks & Predictions: MLB Playoffs Betting Preview

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres
Date: Tuesday, October 8th, 9:08 ET
Location: PETCO Park
TV: FS1
Money Line: Dodgers +129/Padres -151
Total Line: 7.5

Betting Preview

Here’s our betting preview for the upcoming MLB clash between the San Diego Padres and the Dodgers on Tuesday, October 8th at PETCO Park. We provide you with a comprehensive analysis, odds, and predictions to help with your handicapping decision or tail our expert based on the projected lineups and listed starting pitchers.

Betting Odds

San Diego is favored at -151 heading into Tuesday’s matchup vs. the Dodgers, who are on a five-game winning streak, and their overall record is 98-64. The money line odds have the Dodgers at +129. The over/under line is at 7.5 runs, and the game will be televised on FS1.

First pitch from PETCO Park is set for 9:08 PM ET. The forecast for Tuesday’s matchup calls for clear skies and temperatures in the mid to upper 70s. Walker Buehler will go for the Dodgers, while the Padres are starting Michael King.

Dodgers vs. Padres Projected Lineup

Straight Up/Over-Under/ Runline Record

Los Angeles Dodgers: 98-64 SU / OU 92-68 / Runline 82-82
San Diego Padres: 93-69 SU / OU 85-77 / Runline 86-80

San Diego cruised to a 10-2 win over the Dodgers in the most recent game of this series. The Padres had a huge 8th inning, scoring three runs and adding another three in the 9th. As for the Dodgers, they scored their only two runs in the 6th. Heading into the game, the Padres were at +131 on the money line.

Yu Darvish pitched well for the Padres in this one, going seven innings and giving up just one run. He finished the game with three strikeouts and two walks. On the other side, Jack Flaherty got the start for the Dodgers, going just 5 1/3 innings and giving up four runs.

Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill each homered for the Padres. Tatis, Xander Bogaerts, and Kyle Higashioka each had two RBIs and two runs scored.

Dodgers Records & Recent Play

As the Dodgers prepare for game three of their series against the Padres, they find themselves on the road with the series tied 1-1. Los Angeles finished the regular season with a 98-64 record, including a 46-35 mark on the road. They’ve won five straight away from home.

LA’s run line record for the season is 82-82, with a 41-40 mark on the road. They’ve averaged a +1.1 run margin on the road, compared to +0.8 at home. The Dodgers’ over/under record is 92-68, and 84.6% of their games have had higher totals than today’s 7.5 line.

Padres Records & Recent Play

As the Padres prepare for game three of their series against the Dodgers, they’ll look to take a 2-1 lead in this best-of-five matchup. San Diego finished the regular season with a 93-69 record, including a 45-36 mark at home and 48-33 on the road. They’ve won their last six home games and two straight as the favorite.

San Diego’s run line record for the season is 86-80, and they’ve gone 34-49 against the run line at home. As favorites, their run line record is 44-61. The Padres have an over/under record of 85-77, and the over has hit in their last three games. Today’s line of 7.5 runs is below their season average of 8.8.

Pitching Matchup

Walker Buehler is looking to pitch more like he did on September 15th, where he turned in a solid outing and gave up just one earned run in six innings of work. In that outing vs. the Braves, he gave up three hits and five walks. Against the Padres on September 26th, Buehler finished with a no-decision, going five innings and giving up one earned run on five hits. Looking back over his last four outings, Buehler has finished with a no-decision in three of them. His record for the season is 1-6, and he has an ERA of 5.38. So far, Buehler has made 16 starts and three of them have been quality starts.

Padres starter Michael King has made 30 starts this season and has a record of 13-9. His ERA for the season is 2.95, along with a WHIP of 1.19. King has turned in 14 quality starts this year and is averaging 10.42 strikeouts per nine innings. In his last outing, King was dominant, going seven innings and not giving up a run. He finished with 12 strikeouts in that outing. King has won each of his last two starts. Before that, he had a no-decision and a loss.

Dodgers vs. Padres Offense Outlook

Shohei Ohtani has been on a tear for the Dodgers of late, going 19/39 in his last nine games with three homers and 11 RBIs. For the season, Ohtani is batting .310 with 54 homers and 130 RBIs, which are both 2nd in the league. Teoscar Hernandez is also swinging a hot bat, as he has gone 12/34 in his last nine games with three homers and nine RBIs. Hernández is also on a five-game hitting streak.

As a team, the Dodgers lead the league in OPS, slugging percentage, and isolated power. They are also 2nd in the league in walks and have the top home run total in the league. Overall, they are averaging 5.2 runs per game and are the top-scoring team in the league when on the road.

San Diego comes into the game with the league’s top batting average at .263, and they have been one of the league’s best home run hitting teams this season. As a team, the Padres are averaging 4.7 runs per game and have been even better on the road, averaging five runs per contest. San Diego’s offense has been led by Manny Machado, who is 7th in the league with 105 RBIs and has 29 home runs this season. Machado is also on a three-game hitting streak.

Over his last nine games, Fernando Tatis Jr. has gone 12/33 with four homers and six RBIs. Kyle Higashioka has also gone deep four times in this stretch while batting .296. Jurickson Profar and Jackson Merrill are both near the top of the Padres home run leaderboard and have been consistent hitters for the Padres this season.

Free Dodgers vs. Padres MLB Pick

I see getting the Dodgers at plus money in game three is a steal, and getting it +129 is robbery. For game three, I’m all in on the Dodgers to pick up the win. Go with LA on the money line!