by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026
Game Time: 10:10 pm ET, Thursday, September 24, 2026
Venue: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: MLB TV, MLB Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Padres +124, Dodgers -148; Over/Under: 7.5 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Padres +125, Dodgers -150; Over/Under: 7.5 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Padres +125, Dodgers -150; Over/Under: 7.5 runs
Season Record
San Diego Padres: 87-70 (2nd place, NL West)
Los Angeles Dodgers: 97-60 (1st place, NL West)
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Recent Form
San Diego Padres: 8-2 last 10
Los Angeles Dodgers: 7-3 last 10
San Diego Padres vs Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Analysis
The Padres are entering this series off a win and completed the sweep in their 3-game series against the Miami Marlins 3-0 in their last series. They enter this game with an 87-70 record overall and have a road record of 38-41. This is the series finale of a 3-game series with the Dodgers on Thursday with the 2nd game still to be played on Wednesday. The Padres lost the series opener on Tuesday. Their offense ranks 17th in the MLB with a .716 OPS. Robbie Ray is their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Nick Pivetta is making his start in this game on Thursday. He is 3-2 with a 3.30 ERA this season. His team won their last 4 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season appearance, he allowed 1 ER, 1 HR, and 1 BB with 4 SO on 4 hits through 5 IP against the Miami Marlins.
The Dodgers are entering this series off a win and completed the sweep in their 3-game series against the San Francisco Giants 3-0 in their last series. They enter this game with a 97-60 record overall and have a home record of 51-28. This is the 3rd game of a 3-game series with the Padres on Thursday with the 2nd game of this series still to be played on Wednesday. The Dodgers won the 1st game of this series on Tuesday. Their offense ranks 2nd in the MLB with a .766 OPS. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Tyler Glasnow is making his start in this game on Thursday. He is 5-1 with a 3.46 ERA this season. His team won 3 of their last 4 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 2 earned runs, 1 homer, and 2 walks with 10 strikeouts on 3 hits through 6 innings pitched against the San Francisco Giants.
Padres vs Dodgers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Dodgers listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Dodgers have looked great in their games this season with their 97-60 record overall which has them right at the top of the NL West with one of the best records in MLB. They have looked great in their own ballpark too with their 51-28 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Padres have looked good in their games this season with their 87-70 record overall which has them right near the top of the NL West. They haven't been a great road team though with their 38-41 road record this year. The Padres have been rolling in their games lately, now 8-2 in their last 10 games as they fight for a Wild Card spot. The Dodgers have also been rolling though, going 7-3 in their last 10 games, and they have one of the best offenses in MLB. Glasnow is on the mound for the Dodgers in this one and he has looked good this season. He is 5-1 with a 3.46 ERA and he hasn't been giving up many runs lately. He is coming off another good start giving up 2 earned runs which has been a common theme for him and the team has been having lots of success with him too, winning 3 of their last 4 games with him starting. The Padres are going with Pivetta in this one and he has looked good this season. He is 3-2 with a 3.30 ERA and he hasn't been giving up many runs lately either. He only gave up 1 earned run in his last start and the team has won 4 games in a row now with him starting. The issue for the Padres has been offense though and their offense has had trouble all year. They have been hot lately, but they were nowhere to be found in the 1st half of the season and even when they have been hot lately, their offense disappeared against the Dodgers in the series opener. The best way to place a bet here is on the Dodgers to win this game.
Padres Dodgers Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Thursday, September 24, 2026 (10:10 pm ET start time) is Dodgers 5 Padres 2.
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MLB Betting Trends
San Diego Padres: 276-216 (+35.8 units) on the moneyline in all games. 127-121 (+10.8 units) on the moneyline in road games. 202-152 (+33.2 units) on the moneyline against right-handed starters. 73-52 UNDER vs. an NL starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.250 or better.
Los Angeles Dodgers: 312-202 (-17.8 units) on the moneyline in all games. 167-91 (-10.4 units) on the moneyline in home games. 138-108 (-12.1 units) on the moneyline when playing against a team with a winning record. 29-18 UNDER against division opponents.
Key Injuries
San Diego Padres: L. Rengifo (LF) Sixty Day IL - Knee. G. Sheets (1B) Ten Day IL - Foot. J. Estrada (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Shoulder. M. Andujar (DH) Ten Day IL - Wrist. J. Adam (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. L. Giolito (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. R. Laureano (LF) Sixty Day IL - Hip. B. Hoeing (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. J. Musgrove (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.
Los Angeles Dodgers: B. Snell (SP) Day To Day - Groin. E. Henriquez (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Back. S. Ohtani (DH) Fifteen Day IL - Biceps. D. Rushing (C) Ten Day IL - Elbow. E. Lauer (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. R. Sasaki (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Finger. A. Pages (CF) Ten Day IL - Hand. W. Klein (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. B. Graterol (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. B. Casparius (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. J. Cousins (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. G. Stone (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder.
Notable Quotes
“It's just one game. We've got five more ahead of us. Tomorrow, everything starts anew.” - Craig Stammen after his team’s loss against the LA Dodgers in their game on Tuesday.
"It's just showing that whatever it takes to help us win, knowing that any inning he throws in the postseason is going to be huge. He clearly understands that.” - Dave Roberts after his team’s win against the Padres in their game on Tuesday.
Starting Lineups
San Diego Padres
Fernando Tatis Jr. (R) RF
Dustin Harris (L) LF
Manny Machado (R) 3B
Ty France (R) 1B
Jackson Merrill (L) CF
Austin Hays (R) DH
Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
Luis Campusano (R) C
Jake Cronenworth (L) 2B
Los Angeles Dodgers
Mookie Betts (R) SS
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Will Smith (R) C
Max Muncy (L) 3B
Kyle Tucker (L) RF
Teoscar Hernández (R) LF
Josue De Paula (L) DH
Andy Pages (R) CF
Tommy Edman (S) 2B
Statistical Leaders
San Diego Padres
Batting Average: Samad Taylor (.341)
Hits: Fernando Tatis (174)
Home Runs: Manny Machado (28)
RBI: Jackson Merrill (86)
Stolen Bases: Fernando Tatis (36)
Wins: Michael King (12)
Saves: Mason Miller (37)
ERA: Mason Miller (1.21)
Los Angeles Dodgers
Batting Average: Josue De Paula (.323)
Hits: Freddie Freeman (165)
Home Runs: Shohei Ohtani (30)
RBI: Andy Pages (80)
Stolen Bases: Andy Pages (12)
Wins: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (14)
Saves: Tanner Scott (23)
ERA: Kris Bubic (0.00)
Managers:
San Diego Padres: Craig Stammen (1st season)
Los Angeles Dodgers: Dave Roberts (11th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
