Dodgers vs. Padres Game 4 prediction, odds: NLDS best bets, picks
There’s an argument to be made that Wednesday’s MLB playoff slate is the most intriguing of the entire season, as baseball fans will be treated to four important Divisional Round matchups.The night-capper in San Diego offers one of two potential close-out games on the day, with the Dodgers looking to fend off elimination and force a decisive Game 5 against the Padres.The Padres were my pick to win it all entering the playoffs.At the time, they were +1200 long shots, but after beating the Dodgers in Game 3, they find themselves as the favorites (+270, FanDuel), ahead of the Yankees (+320) and Mets (+550).San Diego would love nothing better than to close out the series at home, while the Dodgers attempt to get the series back to Chavez Ravine for a winner-take-all on Friday.With both teams super motivated, expect lots of fireworks again Wednesday night.Thanks to several pitchers with notable injuries, including Tyler Glasnow and Gavin Stone, the Dodgers’ starting rotation looked unconvincing entering the NLDS.
Los Angeles’ lack of quality starters was the main reason the Padres became a trendy pick to knock off their in-state rival, but nobody could have envisioned what has actually transpired in the first three games of the series.Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler have combined for a 10.13 ERA in just 13 1/3 innings of work. Now, the Dodgers are opting for a bullpen game with Landon Knack expected to lead off the parade of relievers in what could be his first career playoff start.If Dodgers fans want to view things with a glass-half-full approach, Knack’s 3.78 xERA and 104 Stuff+ suggest he could give them a better chance than Buehler did in Tuesday’s 6-5 loss.Buehler gave up six runs on seven hits in five innings.A more pessimistic viewpoint would be that Knack is yet another righty, which was part of the problem for the Dodgers entering the series.
The Padres have been drastically less effective versus left-handed pitching this sea...