We were led to believe the San Diego Padres would challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers for National League West supremacy. But it looks like the Dodgers can be awarded a TKO prior to the All-Star break.
The two-time defending World Series champions are rolling over opponents and own the best record in the majors at 59-31. And on Sunday, the Dodgers will look to complete a four-game series sweep of the unraveling Padres, who have lost a season-worst eight straight games, sit two games under .500 and trail the Dodgers by a whopping 15 games.

Hard to believe the San Francisco Giants designated Otto Lopez for assignment. He’s now the leading hitter in the majors and a first-time All-Star. His Marlins look to sweep the Athletics on Sunday. We’ll also look at the rematch of last season’s American League Championship Series – Toronto Blue Jays at Seattle Mariners.

SAN DIEGO PADRES AT LOS ANGELES DODGERS

The Dodgers are 7-2 against the Padres this season and have won five straight recent meetings and there’s no reason to expect anything different in the finale. The Dodgers set the tone in the series opener by overcoming a 6-0 deficit to post a 12-7 victory and they seem intent on sending a message to San Diego.

Shohei Ohtani sat out Saturday with right biceps and left knee injuries and he might get another day of rest. Freddie Freeman had a solo homer and an RBI single in Saturday’s 3-0 victory and fellow All-Star starter Andy Pages had a run-scoring hit for his 63rd RBI.

The Padres have scored the fewest runs (343) in the majors, which is stunning when there’s high-priced guys like Manny Machado (.187 average), Fernando Tatis Jr. (five homers) and Xander Bogaerts (.234) and young gun Jackson Merrill (.213) on the roster. Guys like Jake Cronenworth (.171) and Freddy Fermin (.152) can’t find the Mendoza Line with a telescope.

San Diego’s starting pitching is also a mess with Opening Day starter Nick Pivetta (forearm) being on the shelf since mid-April and fellow righty Joe Musgrove (Tommy John) is still out 21 months after his surgery. Left-hander JP Sears (0-1, 6.97 ERA) starts Sunday and that surely doesn’t bode well for the Padres.

Dodgers -1.5 runs spread, -109 (DraftKings)

MIAMI MARLINS AT ATHLETICS

Lopez has been a virtual hit machine for the Marlins and he sports a .341 average. But 27 months ago, Lopez was playing for Triple-A Sacramento when he learned he was DFA’d by the Giants. On Saturday, he was at the same ballpark when he learned he was an All-Star.

“It’s a good story I would say,” Lopez said before going 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs in Saturday’s 7-2 victory. Kyle Stowers complimented Lopez by smacking two homers and he has three in the series. The Marlins have eight homers and have scored 19 runs while winning the first two games of the series.

The Athletics are sinking fast in the American League West due to 10 losses in their past 13 games. The A’s sit seven games below .500 and reside in fourth place in the division.

All-Star catcher Shea Langeliers (left thumb) will sit out for the second straight game. He’s tied with All-Star first baseman Nick Kurtz for the team homer lead of 20. Rookie left-hander Gage Jump (3-2, 2.93) will start for the Athletics and he gave up five runs and 11 hits over 4 2/3 innings during a loss to the Dodgers his last time out.

Teams combine for over 9.5 runs, -110 (DraftKings)

TORONTO BLUE JAYS AT SEATTLE MARINERS

The Blue Jays and Mariners put on a great show in the ALCS with Toronto eventually winning in seven games. This weekend, each club has been blanked once after the Mariners rolled to an 11-0 win on Saturday.

Cal Raleigh delivered a three-run homer for just his ninth blast of the season, far shy of his famous 60-homer campaign in 2025. Randy Arozarena hit a grand slam while going 3-for-4 and scoring three times.

Toronto had just one hit Saturday and has only two runs and seven hits in the series. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continues to have a power void and last went deep on June 18. He has just four homers.

Based on the lack of offense, the Blue Jays will be counting on right-hander Trey Yesavage (4-3, 3.34 ERA). He has given up five or fewer hits in all 12 of his starts.

Trey Yesavage to strike out seven or more batters, +136 (DraftKings)

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz will start the All-Star Game at first base for the American League, replacing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Guerrero had been voted in as a starter by fans but is opting to let his ailing back heal as opposed to participating in the game. Kurtz, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, received the most votes among American League first basemen on the player ballot and will move into the starting role.

Guerrero has dealt with periodic back issues, and he missed consecutive games against the New York Yankees in mid-June when the ailment flared up. He also sat out the game against Toronto last Tuesday against the New York Mets due to his back.

“It’s very difficult for me. But I really have to take care of myself and I’ve got to put my team first for the second half,” Guerrero said, per Sportsnet.

This was his sixth consecutive All-Star selection.

Guerrero, 27, is having a sluggish offensive season, batting .265 with just four homers and 35 RBIs in 82 games. He has hit 23 or more homers in five consecutive seasons, including an MLB-leading 48 in 2021.

Kurtz, 23, is hitting .278 with 20 home runs and 66 RBIs in 88 games.

The All-Star Game is set for July 14 in Philadelphia.

–Field Level Media