The MLB playoff picture has become clearer in the past few days. All three of the National League divisions and two of the Wild Cards have been clinched. One of those Wild Card spots belongs to the San Diego Padres, who will try to secure the top Wild Card spot. The Arizona Diamondbacks have a slim chance of stealing the third Wild Card spot from the New York Mets, and need a win on Friday night in order to keep that dream alive.
The Padres come in as -148 moneyline favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook. The total is set at 7.5 runs. Let’s dig into a preview, prediction and best bet for this Diamondbacks vs. Padres matchup.
Diamondbacks at Padres prediction, preview
Zac Gallen was initially scheduled to start their last game against the Dodgers, but they pushed back his final start of the regular season to line up for the beginning of their final series. In what may be his last start in an Arizona uniform, they’ll rely on their top arm to deliver the goods.
Gallen, 30, has a 4.70 ERA this season. It’s the worst mark of his career. It’s not what you want before you hit free agency for the first time. Arizona decided not to trade him at the deadline, and he’s been his old self since. In 10 starts after the deadline, Gallen has pitched to a 2.82 ERA over 60.2 innings. Most importantly, Arizona is 7-3 in his starts. Anything less than that, and they’d already be out of the playoff picture.
His opposite number, Yu Darvish, is struggling as well. The 39-year-old has a 5.51 ERA in 14 starts this season. He’s shown flashes of his old brilliance now and then, but he’s given up at least three earned runs in nine of his 14 starts. The only thing consistent about Darvish this year has been his inconsistency. Tonight, he may well be pitching for his inclusion on the playoff roster.
San Diego has a leg up offensively after the Diamondbacks traded multiple bats at the deadline. But Gallen gives them a huge advantage, and I expect him to keep their playoff hopes alive with a big win.
