San Diego Padres vs Los Angeles Dodgers Prediction 9/22/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

The San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers will meet Tuesday night in a National League West matchup at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Let’s take a look at this matchup from a betting perspective.

San Diego Padres Betting Preview

The San Diego Padres enter Tuesday’s contest with an 87-69 overall record (2nd in the National League West) and a 38-40 mark on the road. The Padres offense has been rather pedestrian this season. San Diego has compiled 659 runs scored (15th in MLB), 228 doubles, 179 home runs and a .244 team batting average which ranks 15th in Major League Baseball.

The Padres arrive at tonight’s game in elite form. San Diego has won the team’s last five games played this season, including a thrilling 7-6 victory over the Miami Marlins three days ago.

The Padres will turn to right hander Michael King in this game. In 31 starts made in 2026, King has compiled a 12-9 win-loss record, a 3.03 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP and 154 strikeouts in 181 innings pitched. Michael King arrives at this contest in outstanding form, allowing two earned runs or less in five of his last six starts made this season. King will look to build on his recent outstanding performances on the mound in this evening’s matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  

The San Diego Padres lineup features Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. Tatis Jr. enters this contest with a .285 batting average (14th in MLB), 25 home runs, 81 RBIs and an .823 OPS. Manny Machado has tallied a team leading 28 home runs, 84 RBIs and a .712 OPS.                                                                             

Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Preview

The Los Angeles Dodgers enter Tuesday’s contest with a 96-60 overall record (1st in the National League West) and a rather impressive 50-28 mark at home. Los Angeles arrives at this contest in good form, winning six of the team’s last seven games.

The Dodgers will start right hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto in this contest. In 27 starts made this season, Yamamoto has compiled a 14-8 win-loss record, a 2.51 ERA (5th in MLB), a 0.87 WHIP (2nd in MLB) and 178 strikeouts in 179 innings pitched. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has performed at a high level recently, allowing one earned run or less in three of his last four starts made in 2026.  

The Dodgers lineup features Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. Ohtani has tallied 30 home runs, 80 RBIs, a .277 batting average and a robust .902 OPS which ranks fifth in Major League Baseball. Freeman has compiled a .292 batting average, 16 home runs, 67 RBIs, 32 doubles and an .806 OPS.              

Why the San Diego Padres will win.

• Current form. The San Diego Padres arrive at this contest on the heels of a five game winning streak.  

• Starting pitching. In 31 starts made in 2026, Michael King has compiled a 12-9 win-loss record, a 3.03 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP and 154 strikeouts in 181 innings pitched.

Why the Los Angeles Dodgers will win.

• Home field advantage. The Los Angeles Dodgers have amassed a 50-28 record at Dodger Stadium in 2026.

• Starting pitching. In 2026, Yoshinobu Yamamoto has compiled a 14-8 win-loss record, a 2.51 ERA, a 0.87 WHIP and 178 strikeouts.

San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Prediction

In my view, the way to go in this matchup is the total rather than a side. Why? Los Angeles starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto has performed at a high level recently, allowing one earned run or less in three of his last four starts made in 2026. Similarly, San Diego hurler Michael King arrives at this contest in outstanding form, allowing two earned runs or less in five of his last six starts made this season. I envision a contest where offensive production is limited by quality pitching from both teams. For the reasons just noted, I am backing under 8.5 runs in this game.

Hans Geevers's Pick: Under 8.5