The Padres and Dodgers will meet for Sunday Night Baseball, and Los Angeles is going for the sweep at home.
The Dodgers are starting to run away with the division, as they now own the best record in the league. Los Angeles made some moves during the trade deadline, but the Dodgers have been great all season to the point where they didn’t need to make a big splash. They’re one of the hottest teams since the All-Star break, winning 14 of 17 with a current seven-game winning streak.
The Padres made the most significant trade deadline splash by acquiring Juan Soto from the Nationals. They didn’t stop there as they also got Josh Bell in that trade, picking up former Reds utility player Brandon Drury and former Brewers closer Josh Hader as well. Soto and Bell are off to a great start by batting over .300 in their first four games, and Hader grabbed a win in his Padres debut.
Padres vs. Dodgers Odds
| Team | Runline | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Padres (Y.Darvish) | +1.5 (-178) | +115 | O 8.5 (-115) |
| @ Dodgers (T.Anderson) | -1.5 (+150) | -135 | U 8.5 (-105) |
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook as of 9 am ET on Sunday, August 7.
Tyler Anderson Has Re-Invented Himself
The Dodgers will send up Tyler Anderson, and the veteran is having a breakthrough season in his first year with the club. At 12-1 on the campaign, his career win/loss record soared over .500, and his 2.89 ERA is well over a point and half better than his career mark (4.35).
He switched his style from previous years by becoming primarily a four-seamer/changeup pitcher. While he’s reduced the percentage of cutters, the pitch is even more effective. The changeup has been key to his success as it’s become his put-away pitch, helping double his strikeout rate from the pitch this year., Anderson’s -11 run value is second-best in the league.
Tyler Anderson, Mean 81mph Changeup. 😤 pic.twitter.com/WuV5HMrGWN
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 16, 2022
His most recent start was his better one against the Padres this season, going six innings while allowing just one earned in the win.
Yu Darvish’s Rebuilding Year
Yu Darvish is having a much better second season with the Padres. While he isn’t the same pitcher he was a couple of years ago, he’s been effective with all pitches having a negative run value for the first time since 2020. He continues to primarily throw the cutter, which is a change he made a few years back. However, he is starting to throw that four-seamer a little more, and it’s even got a little more speed to it than in previous years.
He had one successful start against the Dodgers this year, going six shutouts innings. However, in his last start against LA, he allowed five earned. Most of the damage came in the first inning when he gave three solo home runs, and the Dodgers took a quick lead.
That’s how Darvish has always been — he starts slow, and as the game moves along, he settles down. In 20 first innings this year, he’s allowed five homers, 11 walks, and has a 6.20 ERA. The second isn’t any better with a 4.58 ERA, but after that, it drops significantly.
Padres vs. Dodgers Prediction
The Dodgers will be looking for the sweep of the Padres. Although San Diego made a significant offensive upgrade this week, the Dodgers still have the better lineup.
Los Angeles got to Darvish early in his last start at Dodgers Stadium, and the boys in blue have scored eight runs in both games this series. The Dodgers will come away with the sweep and further cement their lead in the division.
The Pick: Dodgers ML | -135 at Caesars Sportsbook
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