San Diego Padres vs Los Angeles Dodgers Picks and Predictions July 31st 2024

Padres’ Dylan Cease returns after no-hitter to face Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers are facing off against Dylan Cease and the Padres. This NL West matchup has a start time of 8:40 PM ET from PETCO Park in San Diego, and the Dodgers are the division leaders with a record of 63-45, while the Padres are 2nd at 58-51.

The over/under line for Wednesday’s game is at 7.5 runs, and the Padres are favored on the money line, with their odds sitting at -129 compared to the Dodgers at +110. This game can be seen on SNLA.

Los Angeles vs. San Diego Key Information

• Teams: Dodgers at Padres
• Where: PETCO Park San Diego
• Date: Wednesday, July 31st
• Betting Odds SD -129 | LAD +110 O/U 7.5

The Dodgers Can Win If…

Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers are on the road to take on the Padres. Kershaw is coming off a start in which he went 4 innings and gave up 2 earned runs, striking out 6. He gave up 6 hits and walked 2 in that outing.

Shohei Ohtani has been one of the league’s top power hitters this season, as his 32 home runs are 2nd in the league and lead the Dodgers. Ohtani is also batting .311 for the season and has driven in 76 runs, which is 5th in the league. Over his last 10 games, Ohtani has gone 10/37 with three homers. Teoscar Hernández is also coming off a strong 10 game stretch, as he has gone 11/40 with three home runs.

As a team, the Dodgers are 3rd in home runs and are 4th in the league in scoring at 4.9 runs per game. They have been even better in terms of on-base percentage, as they lead the league in that category. The team’s top two hitters, Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández, are also the team’s top two home run hitters.

• The Dodgers are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Dodgers are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Los Angeles has an over/under record of 6-4 in their last ten games.
• The Dodgers have an average of 4.6 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Dodgers are 2-8
• Looking back across the Dodgers last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Los Angeles has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Dodgers have averaged 3.8 runs per game on offense

The Padres Can Win If…

Dylan Cease has been pitching well for the Padres, coming into the game with a record of 10-8 and an ERA of 3.50. Cease most recently faced the Nationals on July 25th, where he picked up the win, going nine innings and not giving up a run. In that outing, he finished with nine strikeouts. Cease has made 22 starts this year and has one complete game shutout. Opponents are batting .188 off Cease this year, and his WHIP is currently .98. Per nine innings, Cease is averaging 11.54 strikeouts.

Coming into today’s game, the Padres are the league’s top-hitting team, with a batting average of .264. They are also near the top of the league in home runs and have the best slugging percentage in the league. San Diego is averaging 4.6 runs per game, and their team on-base percentage of .323 is the 5th best mark in the league.

Jurickson Profar has been the Padres’ top power threat this season, as his 18 home runs is the best mark on the team and the 13th best in the league. He also comes into the game with the 10th most RBIs in the league, at 68. Over his last five games, Manny Machado has gone 6/21 with three homers and has driven in five runs. This has pushed his season-long batting average to .265.

• The Padres are 8-2 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Padres are 4-1 vs. the run line.
• San Diego has an over/under record of 5-5 in their last ten games.
• The Padres have an average of 6.0 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Padres are 8-2
• Looking back across the Padres last five games as the favorite, they are 5-0
• San Diego has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Padres have averaged 5.2 runs per game on offense

The Lean

For an over/under pick, our lean is on the over, as this is projected to be the 4th lowest-scoring game of the day. As for who is going to take this one straight up, we have our lean on the Padres to pick up the win. Dylan Cease is our 7th ranked starting pitcher in terms of strikeouts, and he also has the 5th best hits allowed projection among today’s starters. Clayton Kershaw is 13th in our projections in terms of strikeouts.

San Diego Padres’ right-hander Dylan Cease, fresh off a historic no-hitter, is set to face the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the Padres aiming for a two-game sweep, Cease’s performance is highly anticipated. Can he continue his streak of pitching brilliance?

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Dylan Cease: The Man of the Moment

Dylan Cease, with a 10-8 record and a 3.50 ERA, delivered an unforgettable performance against the Washington Nationals. In a 3-0 victory, Cease faced just one batter over the minimum, struck out nine, and walked three, securing his place in Padres’ history alongside Joe Musgrove.

A Season of Consistency and Dominance

Cease has made headlines this season by allowing two hits or fewer in eight starts where he pitched at least six innings—a modern-day MLB record. His last three outings are particularly impressive: only two hits allowed in 22 scoreless innings, with 30 strikeouts.

The Mechanical Adjustment That Made a Difference

Cease’s recent success is linked to a mechanical adjustment recommended by pitching coach Ruben Niebla. By bringing his glove closer to his body, Cease improved his pitch disguise and release point consistency. This tweak has not only enhanced his control but also added velocity to his pitches, hitting 100 mph in his no-hitter’s ninth inning and making his slider nearly unhittable.

Facing the Dodgers: A New Challenge

For the first time this year, Cease will face the Dodgers. In his career, he has pitched well against them, with a 1.80 ERA in two starts, striking out 18 in 10 innings. This game will test whether he can maintain his dominant form against a formidable lineup.

Dodgers’ Ace Clayton Kershaw Returns

On the other side, Clayton Kershaw (0-0, 4.50 ERA) makes his second appearance of the season after a lengthy absence due to shoulder surgery. In his return, Kershaw gave up two runs in four innings, helping the Dodgers secure a 6-4 win over the Giants.

Kershaw’s Legacy Against the Padres

Kershaw has a long history against the Padres, with 46 previous starts, a 23-10 record, and a 2.12 ERA. His 317 strikeouts in 296 2/3 innings highlight his dominance, making this a thrilling pitching matchup.

Dodgers’ Bullpen Woes

The Dodgers’ bullpen struggled recently, blowing a lead on Tuesday night after a strong start from Tyler Glasnow. Blake Treinen gave up two homers in the ninth inning, leading to a 6-5 loss and reducing their NL West lead over the Padres to 5 1/2 games.

Trade Deadline Additions

Both teams made significant moves at the trade deadline. The Dodgers bolstered their roster with pitcher Jack Flaherty and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier. Meanwhile, the Padres added closer Tanner Scott and left-hander Martin Perez, strengthening their bullpen.

Looking Ahead

As Cease prepares to face the Dodgers, his recent form and mechanical adjustments suggest another standout performance could be on the horizon. With Kershaw still regaining his form post-surgery, this game could have a significant impact on the NL West standings. Fans are eager to see if Cease can replicate his no-hitter magic and further solidify his legacy in Padres history.

Conclusion

As Dylan Cease faces the Dodgers, his ability to build on his historic no-hitter is eagerly anticipated. With mechanical adjustments enhancing his pitching, Cease is poised for another memorable performance. This game is crucial for both teams in the NL West standings, making it a must-watch for baseball fans.