MLB 2-team Starter Multi-Pack - Monday
- Handicapper
- Jim Feist
- League
- MLB
- Competition
- San Diego Padres vs Arizona Diamondbacks
- Release Date
- 08/03/2026 11:08 AM
- Event Date
- 08/03/2026 09:40 PM
- Bet Type
- Moneyline
- Pick
-
Arizona Diamondbacks -112
(BetOnline)
- Outcome
- Win
- Analysis
- The Arizona Diamondbacks have the inside track to pull off the win against the San Diego Padres on Monday because they’re at home, they’re only one game behind in the standings and their lineup can exploit Michael King before San Diego unleashes its best relievers.
Arizona comes into this four-game series at 59-53, giving the Diamondbacks the benefit of a single-game lead over San Diego in the NL Wild Card standings. Arizona also spent Sunday coming back home after winning two of three games in Cleveland, so it arrives with some momentum despite getting blanked during Sunday’s series finale.
Brandon Pfaadt will take the hill for Arizona and he heads into Monday at 5-1 with a 4.00 ERA. Pfaadt hasn’t posted an ERA that’s overpowering, but he has demonstrated more command since returning to Arizona’s rotation. Back on July 7, Pfaadt threw five innings without surrendering an earned run or walking a batter, indicating that he can be effective when he locates his pitches on the corners of the strike zone.
San Diego sends King to the mound in response. King has a 3.38 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, which are both solid marks, but the Padres bumped their rotation around to get King into Monday’s game. Furthermore, San Diego is already seeking upgrades in terms of starting pitching depth. Arizona increases its odds by forcing King to work through at-bats and making San Diego navigate multiple innings with its bullpen.
Arizona even has the higher projected ceiling offensively in this game. The Diamondbacks are scoring about 4.3 runs per game to San Diego’s 3.8 runs per game, and Arizona’s lineup boasts Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, Gabriel Moreno and Max Kepler. Chase Field is homer-friendly, but Arizona also has speed and the ability to rip extra-base hits that can challenge San Diego without exclusively leaning on the long ball.
San Diego has some momentum working in its favor after winning five of six during its latest homestand, but the Padres play a critical divisional series in Arizona against the Diamondbacks. Arizona gets to stay home with an opportunity to get itself back into the Wild Card race. Arizona’s lineup, home-field advantage and Pfaadt’s better command gives the home team a path to success on Monday.
Jim's Play: 908. Diamondbacks
