Overview
The Los Angeles Dodgers face the San Diego Padres in the final game of their three-game series on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 1:10 PM PDT at Petco Park in San Diego, California. The Padres lead the series 1-0 after a 2-1 win on Friday, with Saturday’s game still pending. This NL West rivalry game is critical for the Dodgers to avoid losing ground in the division race and for the Padres to secure a series win at home. 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!
Team Analysis
Los Angeles Dodgers
- 2025 Record (as of August 23): 73-56, 1st in NL West
- Performance Overview: The Dodgers are 4-6 in their last 10 games, averaging 4.2 runs/game with a .254 batting average and a 3.99 ERA. Shohei Ohtani’s .331 BA and 43 HRs lead the offense, but injuries to Max Muncy (oblique), Tommy Edman (ankle), and multiple pitchers (Gavin Stone, Evan Phillips, Tony Gonsolin, among others) test their depth.
- Strengths: Elite offense (.331 OBP, 3rd in MLB) and a 49-22 record when recording 8+ hits.
- Weaknesses: Depleted pitching staff (3.99 ERA in last 10) and a 32-32 road record.
- Player to Watch: Shohei Ohtani (DH) – His .331 BA, 43 HRs, 67 XBH, and 3-for-9 in the series make him a game-changer.
San Diego Padres
- 2025 Record (as of August 23): 73-56, 2nd in NL West
- Performance Overview: The Padres are 6-4 in their last 10 games, averaging 4.8 runs/game with a .251 batting average and a 3.56 ERA. Manny Machado’s 32 doubles and Fernando Tatis Jr.’s .280 BA drive the offense, though injuries to Jackson Merrill (ankle), Michael King (knee), and Joe Musgrove (elbow) challenge their roster.
- Strengths: Strong pitching (3.56 ERA, 1st in NL) and a 42-21 home record.
- Weaknesses: Inconsistent offense (.251 BA, 5th in NL) and a 3-8 season series deficit vs. the Dodgers.
- Player to Watch: Manny Machado (3B) – His .268 BA, 21 HRs, and RBI single in Friday’s win make him a clutch performer.
Head-to-Head Record
- Historical Context: The Dodgers lead the 2025 season series 8-3, but the Padres won Friday’s opener 2-1. The Dodgers swept a three-game series in Los Angeles (August 15-17, 3-2, 6-0, 5-4).
- Recent Encounter: On August 22, the Padres won 2-1, with Yu Darvish’s 6 IP and Machado’s RBI single outpacing Blake Snell’s 7 strong innings.
- Key Insight: The Padres’ pitching has kept them competitive at home, but the Dodgers’ power bats have dominated the season series.
Pitching Matchups Table
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | Innings Pitched | Strikeouts | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodgers | Bobby Miller (RHP) | 1-1 | 3.12 | 72.0 | 72 | 1.15 |
| Padres | Nestor Cortes (LHP) | 1-2 | 5.87 | 30.2 | 22 | 1.65 |
Strengths and Negatives of Pitchers
- Bobby Miller (Dodgers)
- Strengths: Solid 3.12 ERA, 9.0 K/9, and a 2.70 ERA in his last 3 starts, with a fastball-curveball mix effective against right-handed hitters. He’s allowed 2 ER or fewer in 4 of his last 5 starts.
- Negatives: Limited innings (72.0 IP) and struggles vs. lefties (.280 BA allowed) could be targeted by Tatis Jr. and Xander Bogaerts.
- Nestor Cortes (Padres)
- Strengths: Decent strikeout potential (6.5 K/9) and a 4.50 ERA at home, with a funky delivery that can disrupt timing. He held the Giants to 2 ER in 5 IP on August 18.
- Negatives: High 5.87 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, and 3 HRs allowed in his last 2 starts make him vulnerable to Ohtani and Mookie Betts’ power.
Key Players to Monitor
- Los Angeles Dodgers:
- Shohei Ohtani (DH): .331 BA, 43 HRs, hitting .310 with 2 HRs in last 5 games.
- Mookie Betts (RF): .285 BA, 14 HRs, clutch with a homer in the August 17 win vs. the Padres.
- Freddie Freeman (1B): .292 BA, 16 HRs, 3-for-8 in the series with a double.
- San Diego Padres:
- Manny Machado (3B): .268 BA, 21 HRs, RBI single in Friday’s win.
- Fernando Tatis Jr. (RF): .280 BA, 18 HRs, hitting .333 in last 10 games.
- Xander Bogaerts (SS): .265 BA, 11 HRs, 2-for-7 in the series with a sacrifice fly.
Recent Performance
- Los Angeles Dodgers: At 73-56, the Dodgers are 4-6 in their last 10, scoring 42 runs while allowing 40, with their offense struggling in Friday’s loss.
- San Diego Padres: At 73-56, the Padres are 6-4 in their last 10, scoring 48 runs and allowing 36, with their pitching excelling at home.
Critical Factors
- Venue: Petco Park’s pitcher-friendly dimensions (3.80 park ERA) favor Miller and the Padres’ pitching, but the Dodgers’ power could exploit Cortes’ struggles.
- Weather: Forecasted at 78°F with partly cloudy skies and a light breeze, ideal for a competitive game.
- Momentum: The Padres’ Friday win and 4-game home win streak contrast with the Dodgers’ 8-3 season series lead and offensive firepower.
- Betting Odds: Dodgers favored at -120, with over/under at 8.0, reflecting Miller’s edge and offensive potential.
Prediction
The Los Angeles Dodgers hold a slight edge in this matchup, driven by Bobby Miller’s 3.12 ERA and recent consistency compared to Nestor Cortes’ 5.87 ERA and home-run issues. The Padres’ pitching and home-field advantage, led by Machado and Tatis Jr., could keep it close, but the Dodgers’ power bats, sparked by Ohtani and Betts, should exploit Cortes’ vulnerabilities. Los Angeles’ bullpen will likely secure a close win to even the series.
Final Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers win, 5-3. Ohtani hits a homer, and Miller pitches six quality innings.
Best Bets
- Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-120) – Miller’s form and the Dodgers’ offensive strength make them a solid pick.
- Over 8.0 Runs – Cortes’ HR issues and the Dodgers’ power suggest a high-scoring game.
- Shohei Ohtani to Record an RBI (+115) – His .331 BA and 43 HRs offer strong value against Cortes.
This preview, based on the latest trends and stats as of August 23, 2025, delivers expert, trustworthy, and engaging content for MLB fans. Watch live on MLBN, SNLA, or SDPA.
