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Top MLB Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (Dodgers vs. Padres)

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We have one more meaningful game as the Seoul Series concludes on Thursday. Most importantly, it’s the MLB debut for Yoshinobu Yamamoto as Los Angeles made a large financial commitment to acquire him.

Let’s look at the preview of this NL West matchup.

Thursday's Best MLB Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

San Diego Padres (+140) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (-166)  | O/U 8.5 (-122/+100) 

The Dodgers' billion-dollar spending spree is on display early on during the Seoul Series. This lineup is one of the best on paper, as it features three of four National League MVP favorites (Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman). Still, it also runs deep, including Max Muncy, Will Smith and the newly signed Teoscar Hernandez.

It will be Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s debut. He was the most sought-after free agent coming out of Japan. Over his last three seasons overseas, he went 67-22 with a 1.36 ERA. He's an aggressive pitcher who hits in the mid-90s with his fastball but can go harder. He'll mix that with a concrete mixer splitter to force the opposition to hit over the top or miss. Then, he'll occasionally throw a curve and cutter that he gets in on both righties and lefties.

There are mixed feelings about the Padres this season. Their high spending from last offseason was a failure, so they decided to ship off Juan Soto to the Yankees on his last year of arbitration and didn't re-sign reigning NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell. 

That doesn't mean they don't still have a potential great lineup. Xander Bogaerts, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado are all premier power hitters. Still, the problem was making solid contact, as Machado was their best at 7.7% barrels per plate appearance, which was outside the top 50. 

Joe Musgrove will take the bump in his first start since July 28, after his season ended due to shoulder issues. He was their best pitcher up until that point, going 10-3 with a 3.05 ERA in 17 starts.

You don't want the Dodgers to have a lead late in this game because they were fifth in bullpen ERA last year and still have Brusdar Graterol, Ryan Brasier and Joe Kelly, who combined for 43 holds last year.

Los Angeles should be pleased about what should be a successful trip to Seoul.

Pick: Dodgers -1.5 (+130)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday:

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