First pitch 10:10 p.m. ET (7:10 p.m. PT)
Venue: UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
This is the rubber match of a three-game NL West series. The Dodgers have already clinched the division and are chasing seeding advantages (including a potential first-round bye). The Padres are fighting for the top NL wild-card spot and a home playoff series, sitting one game ahead of the Cubs and Phillies in recent standings updates after a strong recent stretch.
Starting Pitchers
Padres: RHP Nick Pivetta (3-2, 3.30 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 35 K in 30.0 IP over 7 starts). Pivetta has been effective in limited action after returning from an earlier elbow/flexor strain, posting solid control and strikeout numbers in his recent outings.
Dodgers: RHP Tyler Glasnow (5-1, 3.46 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 87 K in 67.2 IP over 12 starts). Glasnow has been dominant when healthy, featuring elite strikeout ability and a low WHIP after returning from a back issue earlier in the year.
Both pitchers have similar ERAs in limited samples this season, but Glasnow brings higher strikeout volume and a stronger track record of missing bats at Dodger Stadium.
Current Weather Forecast (Dodger Stadium / Los Angeles)
Clear to partly cloudy skies, high around 85-90°F during the day, cooling into the mid-to-upper 70s by first pitch. Light southwest winds (around 5-8 mph). Near-zero precipitation chance and low humidity. Ideal, mild late-September Southern California evening conditions with no significant weather impact expected.
Injury Reports
Padres (notable):
Miguel Andujar (DH/OF, wrist), Gavin Sheets (1B/OF, foot) – 10-day IL.
Jeremiah Estrada (RP, shoulder) – 15-day IL.
Longer-term: Lucas Giolito (SP, elbow), Joe Musgrove (SP, elbow), Luis Rengifo (INF/OF, knee), Ramon Laureano (OF, hip), Bryan Hoeing (RP, elbow) on 60-day IL.
Dodgers (notable):
Dalton Rushing (C, elbow) – 10-day IL.
Edgardo Henriquez (P, back) – 15-day IL.
Longer-term: Multiple pitchers including Will Klein, Eric Lauer, Ben Casparius, Brusdar Graterol, Jake Cousins, Gavin Stone on 60-day IL (elbow/shoulder issues). Blake Snell has been day-to-day with a groin concern in some reports. Shohei Ohtani recently returned from IL in the series.
Both clubs are managing pitching depth concerns heading into the final week and potential postseason.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups / Notable Performers
Fernando Tatis Jr. / Manny Machado / Jackson Merrill / Xander Bogaerts (Padres) – Tatis has been hot recently; Machado provides power (29 HR range); Merrill and Bogaerts add contact and middle-order production.
Shohei Ohtani / Mookie Betts / Freddie Freeman / Teoscar Hernández / Will Smith (Dodgers) – Ohtani (recently activated) is a dual threat; Betts and Freeman anchor the lineup with on-base skills and production; Hernández offers power.
Glasnow’s high-velocity stuff vs. the Padres’ power hitters and Pivetta’s ability to limit hard contact against the Dodgers’ deep lineup will be central. Dodger Stadium’s dimensions can suppress some power but favor well-struck balls.
Recent Team Forms
Padres: Strong late surge (around 8-2 or 4-1 in recent 5-10 game stretches); competitive on the road and locked in a wild-card race.
Dodgers: Excellent overall (7-3 recent); dominant at home (51-29 range) with an 11-game home winning streak snapped in the prior series game.
Series History (2026)
Dodgers lead the season series (around 8-4). The current series is tied 1-1 after the Padres’ 5-1 win in the previous contest (Machado homered and drove in three). Competitive rivalry games have featured both pitching dominance and offensive outbursts throughout the year.
Betting Trends
Trends favor the home Dodgers as favorites with superior overall record and home performance. Lower totals are common in this matchup with quality starting pitching. Public money leans toward Los Angeles, while the Padres’ recent form and wild-card motivation create value interest on the underdog side.
Game Odds
San Diego Padres 7.5
Los Angeles Dodgers – 165
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, September 23, 2026
