The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to face the Seattle Mariners in a pivotal interleague clash, with both teams aiming to break out of recent slumps. Merrill Kelly, who has been nearly untouchable at home, will look to continue his strong form against a Mariners lineup that has struggled with consistency. Meanwhile, Emerson Hancock, who has had his fair share of shellings this season, will take the mound for Seattle, hoping to turn things around on the road. Below, I’ve got my preview, prediction, and best bet for this Monday night baseball game between the Diamondbacks and the Mariners.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
Padres vs. Dodgers prediction, preview
Los Angeles comes in boasting one of the most potent offenses in MLB, ranking second in runs scored (360), batting average (.266), and slugging percentage (.460). Shohei Ohtani (23 HR, .293 AVG, .590 SLG) has been the driving force, alongside Freddie Freeman (.354 AVG, 40 RBIs), who continues to swing a red-hot bat. However, while the offense is thriving, the pitching staff is limping. Dustin May (3-4, 4.09 ERA) takes the mound, and his inconsistency has been apparent. Despite his strikeout stuff, his ERA ranks in the bottom 28% of the league, and opponents are batting .265 against him. His struggles have been especially evident on the road, where he has a 5.40 ERA and just a 1.25 WHIP in 2025. The Dodgers’ bullpen, decimated by injuries, has only compounded the problem, with the team ranking 21st in ERA (4.11) and 17th in WHIP (1.30).
On the other hand, San Diego’s pitching staff, led by Nick Pivetta (6-2, 3.16 ERA), has been significantly better, ranking sixth in ERA (3.43) and 5th in batting average against (.226). Pivetta, in particular, has been outstanding at home, where he boasts a 1.69 ERA and a microscopic 0.67 WHIP over 37.1 innings. He’s allowed just seven hits in those outings, and his strikeout rate is a league-average 25%. The Padres’ bullpen also ranks 10th in WHIP (1.21) and sixth in ERA (3.42), a sharp contrast to the Dodgers’ struggles. Against a right-hander like Pivetta, who has limited power to a .204 average against, the Dodgers may find their high-flying offense stifled. Despite their potent lineup, their reliance on big innings could falter against a pitcher of Pivetta’s caliber.
When it comes to the bats, Manny Machado has been on a tear recently, slashing .393 over his last seven games with four home runs and 11 hits. He’s been especially hot in high-leverage moments, with 38 RBIs on the season. Fernando Tatis Jr. has also contributed mightily, posting 13 home runs and 43 runs scored. Machado’s power surge, combined with the Padres’ ability to make contact against righties (like May, who’s allowed eight home runs this year), suggests the Padres could capitalize on May’s mistakes. And let’s not forget the Padres’ aggressive base-running game, with Tatis leading the charge with 12 steals. Given the Dodgers’ struggles against speed and lack of depth in their bullpen, this adds another layer to the Padres’ advantage.
Dodgers vs. Padres pick, best bet
I’m confident that the Padres have the edge in this one, especially given their recent home form (20-10) and the injury-riddled Dodgers’ struggles. While Los Angeles has explosive potential, Pivetta’s sharp pitching and the Padres’ solid defense should hold the Dodgers at bay long enough to claim a crucial victory.
As for the total, I’m expecting fireworks. Both teams have been inconsistent in recent outings, but the combination of Pivetta’s home dominance and May’s vulnerability make me lean toward the over. The Padres’ aggressive offense, particularly in leveraging their strengths against right-handers, should generate enough scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, the Dodgers will do their part, even if it’s a tight, back-and-forth affair, with their lineup capable of exploiting any misstep from Pivetta.
If you’re more interested in a total, play the over in this matchup, as both offenses should generate plenty of opportunities. But when the dust settles, I’m locking in Padres Moneyline (+100) for the win. Pivetta’s home dominance and the Padres’ depth give Padres the edge.
Best bet: Padres (+100) vs. Dodgers
Pivetta dominates at home—Tail it with me in the DKN Betting Group here!
