Dodgers Begin Three-Game Series Against Padres on Friday at Petco Park

The Los Angeles Dodgers will open a three-game series against the San Diego Padres on Friday at Petco Park, marking their fourth matchup of the season. The game is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. PT (9:45 p.m. EDT) and will be exclusively televised on Apple TV, with Wayne Randazzo and Dontrelle Willis providing commentary alongside reporter Heidi Watney.

Roki Sasaki will start for the Dodgers, who currently lead the NL West by nine games with a 52-29 record. The Padres, sitting in second place at 42-37, will counter with Walker Buehler on the mound. The betting line favors Los Angeles at -152, with the over/under set at 7.5 runs.

Both teams are managing significant injury concerns heading into the matchup. The Dodgers have 15 players on various injury lists, including key contributors Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell on the 60-day IL. The Padres face even more pressing roster issues with 10 players sidelined, notably pitcher Joe Musgrove and position players like Jake Cronenworth on the injured list.

Offensively, the Dodgers have been the more consistent team, maintaining a .254 batting average over their last 10 games (7-3 record) with a .438 collective slugging percentage leading the NL. Shohei Ohtani leads the team with 17 home runs and a .295 average, while Mookie Betts has been productive in recent games. The Padres have posted a 6-4 record over their last 10 games but have struggled at the plate with a .229 batting average, though Fernando Tatis Jr. continues to contribute with three home runs and 28 RBIs.

The Padres have shown defensive strength, posting a 23-7 record in games where they have not allowed a home run. Despite their second-place standing, San Diego remains 22-19 in home games at Petco Park, while the Dodgers bring a 26-15 record on the road into the series.