Dylan Cease has been excellent since the All-Star break (6-3 with a 2.66 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and .186 opponent BA). He'll be locked in and ready to impress against a Dodgers team he allowed three runs to in his last start but has had success against (34 Ks in 91 ABs). He gives San Diego the length it needs to limit its bullpen use to just its best relievers, which boosts the Padres' pitching advantage against Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who hasn't pitched much in his rookie season, making just four starts since June due to injury.

SD fared well against him twice earlier in the season, scoring five runs in one inning in his MLB debut and scoring three runs with two homers in five innings on April 12. I have serious doubts he will match Cease, putting LA behind early against an SD team incensed about the unevenness of this rivalry.

Bet on the Padres at plus odds to steal game one in Los Angeles.