Two major contenders for the National League pennant collide when the Los Angeles Dodgers host the new-look San Diego Padres in the first game of a three-game series on Friday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Dodgers (72-33) own the best record in baseball and a 12.5-game lead over the Padres (61-47) in the NL West. This will be the first game between the division rivals since San Diego added Juan Soto, Josh Bell, Josh Hader and Brandon Drury at the trade deadline.

Los Angeles is a -160 favorite in the latest Dodgers vs. Padres odds from Caesars Sportsbook while San Diego is a +135 underdog. First pitch is set for 10:10 p.m. ET. The game is one of 14 on the MLB schedule for Friday. (See up-to-date lines for every game on our MLB odds page.)

Before making any MLB picks or parlays, be sure to see the predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times, and it enters Week 18 on a 20-14 roll on top-rated MLB picks, returning almost $400 for $100 players. This is the same model that pegged the 2021 Atlanta Braves at 10-1 as one of three best bets to win the World Series. Anybody who has followed the model has seen profitable returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on the MLB schedule for Friday, Aug. 5. Using its top picks for the day, the model has generated a four-leg parlay that would pay almost 26-1! The parlay doesn't start until 8:05 p.m. ET, giving you plenty of time to make your MLB picks.

We can tell you that one of the picks is the Rangers (+158) to beat the White Sox. But the model has three other picks, including a play on an even bigger American League underdog! You ABSOLUTELY need to see them before locking in any MLB picks of your own.

So which underdog is a MUST-BACK? And what other teams do you need to include in your parlay for a payout of almost 26-1? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which picks you should be all over on Friday, all from the model that is on a 20-14 run on top-rated MLB money-line picks!