There is little as far as expectations this season for the Padres. One year after making a splash to become relevant in the NL West with several blockbuster deals, the team went the other direction and mediocrity looks to be the norm.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
Once again the Dodgers will attempt to win a playoff series and advance to the World Series. And once again they are a favorite to do so. With several roster changes, most notably the departure of Zack Greinke via free agency to division rival Arizona, the Dodgers’ lethal pitching combo is now a solo act. Still, at +108, LA is the favorite to win its fourth straight NL West title.
The excitement is gone in San Diego, as are several of the big-name players GM A.J. Preller dealt for last offseason. There is a new look all the way around: a new manager in Andy Green, new uniform colors, a new roster, but likely the same outcome. The Padres are a longshot at +4121 to win the NL West and given the current makeup of the roster, it’s a bet you should stay away from.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Clayton Kershaw had another Cy Young-type season in 2015 with a 16-7 record in a career-high tying 33 starts. He whiffed 301 batters across 232.2 innings and surrendered just 163 hits for a microscopic 0.88 WHIP. His 2.13 ERA wasn’t too shabby either.
A dominant starter and one of the best in the game since becoming a regular rotation member in 2009, Kershaw is 12-6 with a 2.25 ERA in 27 career starts against the Padres. He failed to get a decision in three starts against them last season, despite giving up just four runs in 16.1 innings.
Tyson Ross gets his first Opening Day assignment against a team he’s never beaten. Ross made 33 starts last season going 10-12 with a 3.26 ERA and fanned 212 in 196 innings with a vicious slider. He did walk 84 batters, the most of any qualified starter.
In 10 career outings and eight starts against LA, Ross is 0-6 despite a nifty 2.67 ERA across 54 innings.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“It’s kind of a new culture we’re trying to create here. I’m looking forward to taking that first step.” – Padres opening day starter Tyson Ross
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
The Padres traded away closer Craig Kimbrel, who saved 39 games in 2015, and also dealt Joaquin Benoit, the team’s primary setup man and backup closer the past two seasons. Benoit had 11 saves in 2014 and a pair last season. All told that’s 52 saves in the past two years and the Padres didn’t fill the role. They are counting on Fernando Rodney to take over the job, but he struggled last year with Seattle before being released. We can expect Green to use a bullpen by committee until the roles become more defined. Other than Rodney, none of the bullpen members have any significant closing experience, which will likely cause some problems.
PROP TALK
Former Padre Adrian Gonzalez has been a fixture at first base for the Dodgers since arriving in a trade with Boston in 2012. Gonzo had some massive years in San Diego, including four consecutive seasons of at least 30 home runs, and he missed driving in at least 100 runs in that time by one in 2009. Gonzalez feasted off Padres pitching in 2015, hitting .314 with seven homers and 17 RBIs in just 70 at-bats. Who can forget the opening series he had against San Diego last year with 10 hits in 13 at-bats, five home runs and seven RBI’s in three games.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
There are some new faces in the San Diego lineup this year, but no one that will strike fear into opposing pitchers, especially not Kershaw. Now the unquestioned No. 1 in the rotation, Kershaw will take the role and run with it, because he’s the best in the biz. The Pads are likely to struggle scoring runs again this season so expect a low scoring affair between two talented hurlers with wicked sliders. This could easily come down to a battle of the bullpens and that isn’t a strength for either side. The difference is LA has a closer in Kenley Jansen and Padres aren’t sure what they have.
Los Angeles 3, San Diego 2
The MLB lines for this contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, player props and inning totals. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The ballgame pitting the Los Angeles Dodgers versus the San Diego Padres will commence Monday, April 4, 2016, at 7:05 p.m. ET at PETCO Park. The matchup can be seen live on ESPN.
