Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the MLB playoff match.
The San Diego Padres managed to steal a win from the Los Angeles Dodgers and secure home-field advantage. In the early hours of Monday, the Padres dismantled their opponent's bullpen, scoring seven runs after the fifth inning to win 10:2. How will the Los Angeles Dodgers respond?
San Diego Padres
The trade of Juan Soto to the New York Yankees for right-handed pitcher Michael King has paid off spectacularly at the start of the playoffs. In his first game against the Atlanta Braves (4:0), he was absolutely dominant: 7 innings, 12 strikeouts, and no walks or runs allowed. This is precisely the performance you expect from an elite pitcher in the playoffs.
Moreover, Michael King has been on fire for several months. Since the All-Star Game, he has allowed only 2.15 runs per game—the best figure among all pitchers remaining in the playoffs. The Padres' advantage in the starting pitching rotation is the most pronounced among all matchups at this stage.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are currently plagued with a massive injury crisis among their starting pitchers. Heading into the playoffs, the situation has not improved much. Los Angeles has eight potential starters sidelined. The Dodgers have to rely on Walker Buehler, who hasn’t been the same since his surgery. He has only one win in six starts, with a 5.38 ERA. There has been regression across all metrics, from pitch speed to the average velocity of the ball off the bat.
San Diego Padres vs Los Angeles Dodgers Prediction
Additionally, the Dodgers cannot count on first baseman Freddie Freeman, who left the field during the last game due to a recurring right ankle sprain. This raises questions about the Los Angeles Dodgers' strength in both pitching and offence. At least in the first five innings, the Padres are expected to establish a solid lead.
