Game 3 of the National League Divisional Series kicks off with a National League West battle between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres on Tuesday night

The Padres took game two of the series in a rout, winning 10-2 behind two homers from Fernando Tatis and seven strong innings from Yu Darvish.

Game 3 will see the series head to San Diego with Michael King making his series debut for the Padres while the Dodgers turn to Walker Buehler. 

Before giving our Padres vs Dodgers predictions, lets take a look at the top storylines and pitching matchups.

 

 

San Diego Padres: Michael King's Ascension 

The Padres sent Michael King to the mound for Game 1 of their NL Wild Card series against the Braves and he was dominant, tossing seven shutout innings while striking out 12.

The key piece to the Juan Soto trade to the Yankees, King went 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts in his first full season as a starter.

King made four appearances against the Dodgers this season, going 2-0 with a 3.10 ERA while striking out 23 over 20.1 innings.

Another dominant outing tonight will cement King's ascension to “ace” status.

 

 

Los Angeles Dodgers: What Does Walker Buehler Have Left?

In 2021 Walker Buehler went 16-4 with a 2.47 ERA while striking out 212 over 207.2 innings.

During the 2020, postseason Buehler was dominant,  going 2-0 over five starts with a 1.80 ERA.

The future was bright, until it wasn't. Arm troubles hit him in 2022 and he missed all of 2023. He came back this year and struggled, making just 16 starts while going 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA.

The lack of pitching depth for the Dodgers have forced them to use Buehler here in Game 3, on the road.

Buehler made two starts against the Padres this season, allowing four runs on 10 hits over 8.1 innings with just three strikeouts.

I guess we will see what Walker Buehler has left here tonight.

 

 

Dodgers vs Padres Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

We’re about to break down our Dodgers vs Padres predictions, but first, here are the current Mets vs Phillies odds, spreads, totals and betting lines from DraftKings Sportsbook:

Run Line

  • Padres -1.5 (+145)
  • Dodgers +1.5 (-175)

Money Line

  • Padres: -142
  • Dodgers: +120

Total

  • 7.5 (Over -118/Under -102
 

 

Dodgers vs Padres Starting Pitcher & Lineup

Michael King, San Diego Padres

King went 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts in his first full season as a starter. Against the Dodgers this season he made four appearances this season, going 2-0 with a 3.10 ERA while striking out 23 over 20.1 innings.

In Game 1 of the Padres Wild Card series against the Braves he dominated, tossing seven shutout innings with 12 strikeouts.

Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers

Buehler was not good this season, making just 16 starts while going 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA.

He faced the Padres twice, allowing four runs on 10 hits over 8.1 innings with just three strikeouts.

 

 

Dodgers vs Padres Predictions For NL Divisional Round Game 2

The difference on the mound tonight feels like will be the difference in the game as the Padres are sending one of their best pitchers in Michael Kings while the Dodgers send out on of their worst this season in Walker Buehler.

If both pitchers perform as expected, this one could be over pretty early with the Padres putting a crooked number on the board while King holds down this powerful Dodgers lineup.

Dodgers vs Padres: Padres ML (-142 on DraftKings)

I'm betting ON Michael King and ON the Padres offense to get it done here today.

Their offense is the hardest in baseball to strike out and Buehler has really struggled this season.

Conversely, Michael King has established himself as a top tier starter and a strong performance tonight will cement him as an “ace” in this league. 

 

 

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