Venue: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
First Pitch: 10:10 PM ET
Broadcast: MLB Network, SportsNet LA, Padres TV
Radio: KWFN 97.3 FM (San Diego), AM 570 LA Sports (Los Angeles)
Match Context
The Padres enter this pivotal NL West showdown atop the division for the first time this late in the season since 2010. Winners of five straight and 23 of their last 35, San Diego has surged past the Dodgers, who have dropped four in a row and are now one game back.
This is the first of six head-to-head matchups over the next 10 days, with the season series currently favoring Los Angeles 5–2. The winner of the season series will hold the tiebreaker for the division title.
Starting Pitchers
Los Angeles Dodgers – Clayton Kershaw (TBD)
- Expected to start Friday
- Coming off a win vs. Toronto
- 10 K in last outing; 2.89 ERA in last 5 starts
- Career vs. Padres: 23–9, 2.10 ERA
San Diego Padres – Randy Vásquez (TBD)
- Called up to replace injured Michael King
- Likely starter Friday
- 2.1 IP, 1 ER in last MLB appearance
- Padres bullpen leads MLB in ERA (2.99)
Key Hitters to Watch
San Diego Padres
- Fernando Tatis Jr. – .271 AVG, 3 RBI in last game
- Ramón Laureano – .333 AVG, 2 HR since joining Padres
- Ryan O’Hearn – Lefty slugger added at deadline; .280 AVG
Los Angeles Dodgers
- Shohei Ohtani – 43 HR, 79 RBI, .432 AVG in last 10 games
- Mookie Betts – .244 AVG, 17 doubles, 12 HR
- Freddie Freeman – .298 AVG, 21 HR, 85 RBI
Team Trends & Stats
| Team | Record | Last 10 | Batting Avg | Team ERA | Home/Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Padres | 69–52 | 7–3 | .261 | 3.72 | 31–32 road |
| Dodgers | 68–53 | 4–6 | .268 | 3.78 | 38–24 home |
- Padres are 9–3 since trade deadline
- Dodgers are 10–14 since July 1
- Ohtani enters with a 12-game hitting streak
San Diego’s revamped lineup and elite bullpen give them the edge, even against Kershaw. Expect a playoff-like atmosphere and plenty of fireworks in Chavez Ravine.
Game Odds
San Diego Padres – 126
Los Angeles Dodgers 9.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Thursday, August 14, 2025
