Padres vs. Dodgers MLB Picks: A Pitcher's Duel Out West?

Two NL West juggernauts will battle it out on Saturday as the San Diego Padres meet the Los Angeles Dodgers. Let's examine the matchup in our Padres-Dodgers picks.

The Padres loaded up prior to the trade deadline, but they still couldn’t hang with their chief rival in an unfortunate drubbing on Friday. Will Saturday’s affair be any different?

Here are my MLB Padres-Dodgers picks and predictions for Saturday’s game (odds via DraftKings and FanDuel sportsbooks; Pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Padres vs. Dodgers Game Info

Date: Saturday, Aug. 6, 9:10 p.m. ETTV: Spectrum SportsNet, Bally Sports San DiegoLocation: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CAWeather: 87 degrees, Clear, 0% chance of precipitation, 7-mph winds

Padres vs. Dodgers Odds Analysis

The Dodgers opened at -140 before stretching to -150 at DraftKings. That occurred despite an even split of the public money wagered, with 52% going toward San Diego.

The total opened at nine runs before compressing down to 8.5 through DraftKings and FanDuel, with 69% of the cash on the Over. The Dodgers are only 41-55-10 to the Over in 2022, with the Padres at 50-55-4 on Overs.

Padres vs. Dodgers Projected Pitchers

Mike Clevinger (3-3, 3.13 ERA, 1.077 WHIP) vs. Andrew Heaney (1-0, 0.77 ERA, 0.986 WHIP)

There have been ebbs and flows during Clevinger's season since May, but he’s produced some of his best outings over the veteran's past three starts. He boasts a 1.80 ERA over 20 innings during that stretch.

Heaney has been effective over five appearances after sitting out while injured. He's registered a 13.1 K/9 rate, which positions him well for a profitable prop play thanks to a soft line at DraftKings.

Padres vs. Dodgers Picks

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Padres vs. Dodgers ML Pick

Dodgers (-150)

It’s scary when the league's best team suddenly finds an extra gear. But that's how the Dodgers have been playing over the past week, winning their last six games to surpass the Yankees for the best record in baseball.

The Dodgers are riding too hot to pick against them, even with the way Clevinger is pitching. Los Angeles has piled up 40 runs over its winning streak.

Padres vs. Dodgers Spread Pick

Padres +1.5 (-150)

Let’s go for the moneyline-run line middle. The Padres hold an advantage because Clevinger has gone seven innings in each of his last two outings, all while walking just two batters.

San Diego has produced three games with three or fewer runs since the trade deadline, while erupting for nine-plus runs twice. Given the Dodgers’ capable pitching staff, Saturday might be a night that trends more toward the former, but Clevinger can keep the Friars close.

https://twitter.com/Padres/status/1555050630644789248

Padres vs. Dodgers O/U Pick

Under 8.5 (+100)

Though Heaney’s injuries have limited his workload, he’s been good when on the mound. Also, Los Angeles' 3.19 bullpen ERA ranks fifth in MLB. That group should be able to hold the Padres in check after Heaney’s five quality innings.

The Dodgers have allowed three-plus runs in a game only once during their winning streak. With that in mind along with the way Clevinger has been pitching, it likely won't be a banner night for either offense.

Padres vs. Dodgers Prop Pick

Heaney Over 5.5 strikeouts (+145)

The gaudy strikeout-total odds we're getting on Heaney is a relative surprise given how reliable he’s been with punchouts in 2022, racking up 34 over in 23 1/3 innings.

The obvious concern is how long he'll last, as he’s thrown just four innings in each of his two starts after being on the IL. But if Heaney gets through five on Saturday, it’s hard to imagine him falling short of six strikeouts

You catch a huge edge playing this line at DraftKings (+145) over FanDuel (+114).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hjf5uiynd8c

Where to Bet on Padres-Dodgers Picks

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

FanDuel SportsbookCaesars SportsbookDraftKings SportsbookPointsBetBetMGM

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Padres-Dodgers picks from 8/6/2022 at 12:42 p.m. ET.