4% San Diego (9:40 ET): Are we looking at a possible World Series preview here? Possibly. The Padres took last night’s series opener, 3-1, behind six shutout innings from starter Yu Darvish. Honestly, the Padres could have scored a lot more (they had 13 hits). They now lead the D’backs by 2.5 games for the top Wild Card spot over in the National League, which is important, because it would mean home field advantage in a potential WC matchup. San Diego has won four straight overall, allowing just four total runs in the process, and tonight they send out Michael King, who has been as hot as anyone in this starting rotation. King has allowed 3 ER or less in 12 consecutive outings. 

There’s also still an outside chance the Padres catch the Dodgers for first in the NL West (3.5 games back). So they have plenty to play for down the stretch and will be motivated each night at the ballpark. Meanwhile, Houston will very likely win the AL West (four game lead over Seattle), but it’s now looking less and less likely that they catch either of the other two division winners for a first round bye come playoff time. The Astros came into this series on a 4-game win streak, but that’s because they just played the Angels over the weekend. This team has not been as strong on the road, most of this season. 

To that point, Houston is very “middle of the road” in both runs scored and slugging away from home while ranking Top 7 in both categories at Minute Maid Park. They figure to struggle at the plate tonight against King and a tremendous Padres’ bullpen that is as good as any in all of baseball. Hunter Brown is starting for the Astros and while he’s been mostly good this season, he just allowed 5 ER his last time out and now must deal with the top-hitting lineup against righties (.274) in MLB. The Padres are now 36-15 overall L51 games and have averaged 5.3 runs per game since the All-Star Break. Manager Mike Schildt has said Luis Arraez WILL be in the lineup Tuesday (left last night’s game after being thrown out at the plate). That’s the confirmation I was waiting for. Great price to grab the Padres at home. 4% San Diego (Play to -135)