Yamamoto is starting. I know he has a short leash and this could turn into a bullpen game but the Padres have destroyed him all year. The Padres 1-4 hitters are batting .375 against him.

Yu Darvish is great at keeping batters off balance and throws a traditional curve ball which the Dodgers have had trouble hitting. His fastball is also better than it’s been in years. He’s been in this position before. Betts, Freeman, and Ohtani are a combined 18 for 78 against him lifetime.

The likelihood that the bullpen will be dominant two games in a row on 1 day rest is lower.

The Dodgers have injuries all over the field.

The 7,8,9 inning closers are all rested. Scott, Adam, and Suarez didn’t pitch at all on Wednesday.

The Padres have been a great road team all year. For a good part of the season they were barely above .500 at home and were the best team in baseball on the road.

The Padres have the best record since the all-star break and are 8-5 against the Dodgers this year. It’s a see saw battle and the pendulum is in the Padres favor tonight.

I could see Arraez and Cronenworth having solid games.

The winner of game 3 wins the series 75% of the time.

I predicted the Padres in 5 at the beginning of the series and I’m still feeling pretty good about tonight. My confidence level is about 65%.