Dodgers vs Padres – Baseball Betting Odds

As the Dodgers and Padres enter their showdown in Friday night’s baseball betting odds, one team is atop NL West, while one team is flailing toward the bottom.

However, don’t be quick to judgment, it’s not who you think.

Friday, May 14: 10:05 p.m.

Los Angeles Dodgers (17-17 SU, 15-19 R/L, 21-13 O/U at

San Diego Padres (22-12 SU, 22-12 R/L, 11-19-4 O/U)

MLB Betting Odds:

Los Angeles: +1 ½, -170, +120 (Ramon Ortiz-R)

San Diego: -1 ½, +150, -140 (Jon Garland-R)

Total Runs:

Over 7 ½: -115

Under 7 ½: -105

The San Diego Padres come into this series the surprise of Major League Baseball, as they’ve currently on top of the National League West. And it’s because of some of baseball’s best pitching that they’re on top.

Friday night’s starter, Jon Garland, is no exception.

Garland comes into this game himself, as one of the surprises in baseball, as his record currently stands at 4-2 with an impressive 1.71 ERA. Maybe most impressive, is how he’s pitched recently. Garland has pitched into the seventh inning in three of his last four starts, and hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last two. Garland has been victorious in each of those games.

On the opposite end of the pitching spectrum, will be Los Angeles’ starter in Friday night’s baseball betting odds, Ramon Ortiz. To say Ortiz is a veteran of the game is an understatement, the guy was old five years ago. And after having not started a game in 2010, Ortiz will be forced into the rotation to make a spot start.

Don’t expect much from the 37-year-old, he’s given up 21 hits and 13 earned runs in just 22 innings pitched this year.

Fortunately for Ortiz, as good as the Padres have been in 2010, it hasn’t been much because of their offense. Looking up and down San Diego’s lineup, there really isn’t much to get excited about other than Adrian Gonzalez and Chase Headley.

Headley is the do everything table-setter, a guy who leads the team in hits and runs, while Gonzalez the bopper in the middle who clears the bases when he gets to the dish. On the season, Gonzalez has six home runs and 17 RBI, maybe even more impressive considering that Petco Park is one of baseball’s most unfriendly hitter’s parks.

As for the Dodgers, while their pitching has failed them, offensively, they’re still strong. They have the highest team batting average in the league at .277 and score an average of over five runs a game.

You could even make the case that first baseman Andre Eithier is the early season MVP, as the guy is absolutely mashing the ball. So far Eithier is batting .385 with 11 home runs and 37 RBI, all of which put him amongst the league leaders.

While the records may tell you to take the Padres, the Dodgers should actually be your Friday night baseball bet.

Looking at the stats, Garland has pitched well, but most recently it has been against the Astros, Brewers and Marlins, hardly offensive juggernauts. With Eithier, Matt Kemp and others in this Dodgers lineup, expect them to lay it on Garland for his worst start in a month.

The Padres are a great team, and may very well hold on to win this division. But take the Dodgers in the baseball odds.

They’ll pack the punch offensively Friday night, leading to a nice victory for you as well.

Aaron’s Pick: Los Angeles +120