NLDS PADRES VS. DODGERS

The Dodgers, who’ve reached two of the last three World Series but without a title to show for it, head into the bestof- five National League Division Series against the rival Padres.

The Dodgers are the favorites to return to the World Series. They finished with baseball’s best regular season record ( 43- 17) and led the NL in home runs and runs.

The Padres, who finished six games back of the Dodgers in the West Division, have a lineup that can match LA. Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Wil Myers combined for 48 regularseason home runs. Against the Cardinals in the wild- card series, they combined to slug five.

The battle to advance will be an entertaining one to say the least. The Dodgers won the regular season matchup

( 6- 4). The series will not be played in California, rather at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, beginning Tuesday.

Schedule

All games at Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas ( Best- of- five;* if necessary; all times p. m. Eastern)

Tuesday: Padres ( TBD) at Dodgers ( Walker Buehler, 1- 0, 3.44 ERA), 9: 38 ( FS1)

Wednesday: Padres ( TBD) at Dodgers ( Clayton Kershaw, 6- 2, 2.16 ERA), 9: 08 ( FS1)

Thursday: Dodgers ( TBD) at Padres ( TBD), 9: 08 ( MLBN)

* Friday: Dodgers ( TBD) at Padres ( TBD), 9: 08 ( FS1)

* Saturday: Padres ( TBD) at Dodgers ( TBD), 8: 08 ( FS1)

Three things to watch

All the stars: Fernando Tatis Jr. Manny

Machado. Mike Clevinger. Mookie Betts. Cody Bellinger. Clayton Kershaw. There’s no lack of star power on either team. It’ll be a test of which stars step up most. After a brief slump in late September, Tatis is red- hot again, going 5- for- 11 with two home runs, including a momentum changing three- run home in Game 2, in the wild- card series. Betts showed the reason why the Dodgers made the blockbuster trade for the outfielder. He had three doubles and three RBI in the series.

Calling all starters: This is not how the Padres drew it up. They got a combined six innings out of their starters in the wild- card series. They will need a bigger contribution out them this time with the potential of five games and no off days. And there are still questions surrounding the health of their top two starters, Dinelson Lamet ( right biceps tightness) and Clevinger ( right elbow). Chris Paddack and Zach Davies struggled in their two starts and combined to allow 10 runs in

4 1⁄ innings last series.

3

The closer: Kenley Jansen ( 11 saves, 3.33 ERA) is still the closer for the Dodgers, but his recent struggles has opened the door for others to help out. Manager Dave Roberts used Brusdar Graterol to finish a three- run save in Game 2 of the wild- card series while Jansen watched from the bullpen. The Dodgers have a deep bullpen, which includes Blake Treinen, but will need to rely on the past heroics from Jansen to contend.

Prediction

Padres in 5