The Los Angeles Dodgers face the San Diego Padres in the second game of their three-game series on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 8:40 PM EDT at Petco Park in San Diego. After a tight contest in the series opener, this NL West rivalry matchup is set to be intense as both teams vie for divisional supremacy. Fans seeking a winning edge can rely on this expert preview, featuring player insights, pitching matchups, and a prediction—unlock more game-changing tips with our exclusive MLB strategies now!
Los Angeles Dodgers
- 2025 Record (as of August 22): 73-55, 1st in NL West
- Performance Overview: The Dodgers are 5-5 in their last 10 games, averaging 4.5 runs/game with a .254 batting average and a 4.81 ERA. Shohei Ohtani’s 44 HRs and Mookie Betts’ .246 BA lead the offense, but injuries to players like Max Muncy (oblique) and Tommy Edman (ankle) test their depth.
- Strengths: Elite power hitting (184 HRs, 3rd in MLB) and a 33-31 road record.
- Weaknesses: Pitching struggles (4.81 ERA in last 10) and injury-hit rotation.
- Player to Watch: Shohei Ohtani (DH) – His 44 HRs, 83 RBI, and .285 BA, with 11-for-34 in the last 10 games, make him a game-changer.
San Diego Padres
- 2025 Record (as of August 22): 72-56, 2nd in NL West
- Performance Overview: The Padres are 6-4 in their last 10 games, averaging 5.0 runs/game with a .267 batting average and a 2.59 ERA. Manny Machado’s 21 HRs and Luis Arraez’s .294 BA drive the offense, though injuries to Michael King (knee) and Joe Musgrove (elbow) challenge their pitching.
- Strengths: Strong team batting (.251 BA, 5th in NL) and an elite rotation (2.59 ERA in last 10).
- Weaknesses: Bullpen inconsistency (3.80 ERA in August) and a 31-34 road record.
- Player to Watch: Manny Machado (3B) – His 21 HRs, 77 RBI, and .294 BA, with a homer in the last 5 games, make him a clutch performer.
Head-to-Head Record
- Historical Context: The Dodgers lead the 2025 season series 8-7, with tight games reflecting the intense rivalry. The Padres won 11-1 on June 9, while the Dodgers took a 5-2 win on June 11.
- Recent Encounter: On August 22, 2025, the teams faced off in the series opener, with the outcome setting the stage for a pivotal game.
- Key Insight: The Dodgers’ power bats thrive in high-pressure games, but the Padres’ pitching and home-field energy at Petco Park keep them competitive.
Pitching Matchups Table
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | Innings Pitched | Strikeouts | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodgers | Jack Flaherty (RHP) | 8-6 | 3.45 | 140.1 | 150 | 1.15 |
| Padres | Dylan Cease (RHP) | 12-8 | 3.10 | 164.2 | 178 | 1.10 |
Strengths and Negatives of Pitchers
- Jack Flaherty (Dodgers)
- Strengths: High strikeout rate (9.6 K/9), a 3.45 ERA, and a 1.15 WHIP, with a 3.20 ERA on the road, effective against contact-heavy lineups.
- Negatives: Occasional struggles with power hitters (1.1 HR/9) could be exploited by Machado or Fernando Tatis Jr.
- Dylan Cease (Padres)
- Strengths: Elite strikeout rate (9.7 K/9), a 3.10 ERA, and a 1.10 WHIP, with a 2.90 ERA at home, dominating with a slider-fastball combo.
- Negatives: Recent control issues (3.5 BB/9 in last 3 starts) could be targeted by Ohtani and Betts.
Key Players to Monitor
- Los Angeles Dodgers:
- Shohei Ohtani (DH): 44 HRs, 83 RBI, .285 BA, a power-speed threat with 4 HRs in last 10 games.
- Mookie Betts (RF): .246 BA, 13 HRs, 57 RBI, clutch with 14-for-41 in last 10 games.
- Freddie Freeman (1B): .306 BA, 15 HRs, hitting .320 in last 7 games.
- San Diego Padres:
- Manny Machado (3B): 21 HRs, 77 RBI, .294 BA, hot with a homer in last 5 games.
- Luis Arraez (2B): .294 BA, 23 doubles, a contact hitter with 10-for-38 in last 10.
- Fernando Tatis Jr. (RF): 18 HRs, 50 RBI, a dynamic threat at home.
Recent Performance
- Los Angeles Dodgers: At 73-55, the Dodgers are 5-5 in their last 10, scoring 45 runs while allowing 43, with their offense carrying games despite pitching struggles.
- San Diego Padres: At 72-56, the Padres are 6-4 in their last 10, scoring 50 runs and allowing 38, with their pitching and hitting in sync.
Critical Factors
- Venue: Petco Park’s pitcher-friendly dimensions (3.90 park ERA) favor Cease’s dominance but challenge both teams’ power bats.
- Weather: Forecasted at 79°F with clear skies and a light breeze, ideal for a competitive game.
- Momentum: The Padres’ 6-4 run and home-field energy contrast with the Dodgers’ 8-7 series lead and road resilience.
- Betting Odds: Padres favored at -123, with over/under at 8.0, reflecting a close matchup with run potential.
Prediction
The San Diego Padres hold a slight edge in this matchup, driven by Dylan Cease’s elite 3.10 ERA and home dominance against Flaherty’s 3.45 ERA. The Dodgers’ power bats, led by Ohtani and Freeman, could exploit Petco Park’s gaps, but San Diego’s pitching depth and Machado’s hot bat should secure a narrow victory in a tight rivalry game.
Final Prediction: San Diego Padres win, 4-3. Machado drives in a key run, and Cease grinds through seven innings.
Best Bets
- Moneyline: San Diego Padres (-123) – Cease’s home strength and the Padres’ pitching edge make them a solid pick.
- Under 8.0 Runs – Petco Park’s pitcher-friendly setup and both pitchers’ command suggest a lower-scoring game.
- Manny Machado to Record an RBI (+150) – His 21 HRs and recent hot streak offer strong value against Flaherty.
This preview, based on the latest trends and stats as of August 22, 2025, delivers expert, trustworthy, and engaging content for MLB fans. Watch live on FS1.
