Perhaps a series with the Dodgers is just what the doctor ordered for San Diego to snap a 10-game losing streak and salvage its playoff hopes.

The series could not have come at a better time as the Giants and Rockies were gaining quick on the Padres who dropped 10 consecutive games including seven at home. Enter Los Angeles, who San Diego is 7-4 against in their last 11 games this season and all of a sudden it looks like the Padres might be able to weather the storm and win the division they have lead for nearly the entire summer.

San Diego will go for the sweep tonight in the final of this three-game series at 10:05 p.m. ET in San Diego.

MLB Predictions and Picks: Pitching Matchup
Chad Billingsley (RHP, 11-8, 3.54 ERA) vs. Cory Luebke (LHP, 0-1, 7.20 ERA)
The pitching matchup here is tilted big time in favor of the Dodgers, who give the ball to Padres killer Chad Billingsley. Since the all-star break Billingsley has a 2.66 ERA in 10 starts and, more importantly, against San Diego he is 10-5 with a 2.48 ERA over 17 starts including two wins and 13 1/3 shutout innings at PETCO Park this year. 

San Diego has to be a little less confident in their starter in this game. Cory Luebke is a rookie trying to supplant the struggling Wade LeBlanc from the lineup. The 25-year old leftie gave up four runs off of two two-run home runs in five innings against Colorado in his major league debut last Friday, but he never looked overmatched. San Diego management thought enough of his performance to give him another shot to earn a rotation spot.

Dodgers vs. Padres Baseball Betting Odds
San Diego is a rare home underdog at -103 while the slightly favored Dodgers are -107. The total is 6.5 with the ‘over’ listed at -120. Odds are courtesy of Sportsbook.com.

Dodgers vs. Padres Betting Trends
Dodgers are 0-4 in their last four games when the total is 6.5 or lower
Dodgers are 0-4 in Billingsley’s last four road starts
Padres are 13-3 in their last 16 home games vs. a team with a losing record
Padres are 1-7 in their last eight games vs. a right-handed starter (1-6 at home)
‘Under’ is 4-0 in Dodgers last four road games with a total set at 6.5 or lower
‘Under’ 10-4 in meetings between these two teams this year

Dodgers vs. Padres Predictions and Picks
The Padres appear to be back to their old selves, pitching and playing defense to suit their cavernous home park and winning the games they should. The Dodgers sending Billingsley to the mound against a rookie makes this a much more even contest, especially considering the oddsmakers have made Los Angeles a slight favorite.

The total of 6.5 is interesting in this game in that it is likely higher than the oddsmakers would have liked. They dropped the total all the way down to 5.5 (a major league low for this season) in Game 2 of this series and watched as the Padres won a 2-1 pitchers duel. Expect Billingsley to continue his dominance in San Diego and also expect a bounce back start from Luebke and the always tough San Diego bullpen behind him should keep runs few and far between in this one. The play is the ‘under’.

Jason Sharpe is the newest member of Doc’s Sports Advisory Board, but he is not new to the sports betting scene, as he has made a living in Las Vegas for several years betting sports as a Wise Guy. For his baseball picks he has a 5-Unit Totals Game of the Week for Wednesday after notching a 7-1 record in all sports for Top Plays recently. If you are interested in baseball betting, this is one guy you don’t want to miss. Also, check Doc’s Sports homepage each day for exclusive baseball betting articles, current baseball lines and matchup reports to boot!