National League pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts with third baseman Manny Machado (13) of the San Diego Padres in the second inning against the American League during the 2025 MLB All Star Game at Truist Park in Cumberland, Georgia.

The San Diego Padres (69-52) and the LA Dodgers (68-53) open a 3-game series Friday. First pitch from Dodger Stadium is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Padres vs. Dodgers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Dodgers lead 5-2

The Padres have won 5 straight games, including a 3-game sweep at San Francisco. They routed the Giants 11-1 in Wednesday’s finale, cashing as -139 favorites with the Over (7.5) hitting. LF Ramón Laureano went 3-for-4, including a 2-run homer in the fifth inning that extended San Diego’s lead to 10-0. The Padres lead the NL West by 1 game over the Dodgers.

The Dodgers were swept in 3 games at the Los Angeles Angels, finishing with a 6-5 loss Wednesday as -178 favorites with the Over (9) hitting. SP/DH Shohei Ohtani allowed 4 ER on 5 hits with no walks and struck out 7 in 4 1/3 innings -- his longest start of the season.

Padres at Dodgers projected starters

TBD vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw

The Padres have not yet officially announced a starting pitcher.

  • 2025 Padres starters stats: 32-34, 3.99 ERA (629 2/3 IP, 279 ER), 1.24 WHIP, 8.4 K/9
  • 2025 Padres relievers stats: 37-18, 2.97 ERA (442 1/3 IP, 146 ER), 1.16 WHIP, 9.2 K/9

Kershaw (6-2, 3.14 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.26 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 5.8 K/9 through 71 2/3 innings.

  • Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 4 K in 5-1 home victory vs. Toronto Blue Jays Aug. 8
  • 2024 vs. Padres: 1 road start (July 31), loss, 3 2/3 IP, 3 ER (7 R), 6 H, 1 BB, 0 K in 8-1 defeat
  • Career vs. Padres: 23-11, 2.19 ERA (73 ER in 300 1/2 IP), 0.99 WHIP, 9.5 K/9 in 47 starts

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Padres at Dodgers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:31 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Padres +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Dodgers -185 (bet $185 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Padres +1.5 (-140) | Dodgers -1.5 (+115)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -118 | U: -102)

Padres at Dodgers picks and predictions

Prediction

Dodgers 6, Padres 5

Moneyline

The Dodgers (-185) are 9-5 in Kershaw's starts this year and will likely win Friday, but they're being overvalued on the moneyline.

PASS.

Run line/Against the spread

The Padres have scored 5 or more runs in 4 of their last 5 games. While an official starter hasn’t been announced, San Diego’s hot bats should at least keep the game close.

The Dodgers have scored 4 or more runs in 6 straight games, but their pitching has struggled, allowing 5 or more runs in each of the last 4. While Kershaw has rebounded well after shoulder, toe and knee injuries limited him to 7 starts last year, the Dodgers have won just 2 of his last 6 starts by 2 or more runs.

BET PADRES +1.5 (-140).

Over/Under

No official starter for the Padres makes this a somewhat risky play, but both offenses have been hitting well. Kershaw was tagged for 3 ER in 3 1/3 innings the last time he faced San Diego, though he has allowed just 1 ER in 12 innings over his last 2 starts -- which could be concerning for Over bettors.

LEAN OVER 9 (-118).

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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: San Diego Padres at LA Dodgers odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Corey Scott, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect