Southern California teams collide in the National League Divisional Series, as the San Diego Padres advanced from the Wild Card round to face the No. 1 seed Los Angeles Dodgers.
The series will mark the postseason debut of Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, who never reached the playoffs in his six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.
The Padres advanced to the NLDS with a 2-0 series win over the Atlanta Braves in the Wild Card round, while the Dodgers got a bye after earning the top seed.
Padres starting pitcher Michael King threw a gem in Game 1 as San Diego won 4-0, and Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill each drove in two runs in a 5-4 Game 2 win. Catcher Kyle Higashioka hit home runs in both games and rightfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. went yard in Game 1.
Last season, the Dodgers also earned a bye in the Wild Card round but ended up losing in the NLDS to another NL West team, the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Entering the series against the Padres, Los Angeles is dealing with injury issues - particularly to its starting pitching rotation - and will have been grateful for the week off.
Tyler Glasnow is out for the playoffs with an elbow injury, while Clayton Kershaw is dealing with a toe issue that has him designated as day-to-day. Infielders Freddie Freeman and Miguel Rojas are also recovering from minor injuries but are expected to be ready for Game 1.
Ahead of what projects to be a fascinating best-of-five tilt between division rivals with plenty of star power, let's take a look at the series odds.
SD Padres | +120 |
LA Dodgers | -140 |
Series Score | Padres to win | Dodgers to win |
3-0 | +650 | +425 |
3-1 | +425 | +350 |
3-2 | +425 | +325 |
Total Games Line | Over | Under |
3.5 | -360 | +260 |
4.5 | -200 | +150 |
Road Wins Line | Over | Under |
0.5 | -4000 | +1200 |
1.5 | -150 | +110 |
2.5 | +180 | -240 |
3.5 | +1100 | -3000 |
4.5 | +1650 | -10000 |
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Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.