This is one of those games I'm solely betting because I'm going out of my way to watch it. You can't tell me there aren't lookahead games in MLB -- the Padres were totally looking ahead to this when they laid an egg yesterday vs. Colorado. I have sorta gone back and forth on this. San Diego is so ready to beat up on Big Brother with its stacked new lineup, but the bully Alpha Betas want to metaphorically stuff the Tri-Lambs in their lockers (kudos to those who got that). I do think LA's Tony Gonsolin is coming way back to reality with a 6.75 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over his past three -- and that's not including a rough inning in the All-Star Game. Sean Manaea can be very hit or miss for San Diego, but we have the Josh Hader factor if the Padres do have a late lead or it's tied. The Dodgers are -160 to win ... and the Padres are -145 to simply cover. San Diego easily could win and is 5-0 in its past five vs. a right-hander, so runline is my play.

Sean Manaea faced the Dodgers once this season in LA and gave up six earned runs, including two homers. He has a 5.28 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in his last five starts. The Padres are loaded with Juan Soto and Josh Bell arriving, but they still miss Fernando Tatis Jr. Tony Gonsolin has been incredible at home, going 7-1 with a 1.67 ERA and miniscule WHIP. The last time he faced the Padres, he threw seven strong innings, allowing four hits and one earned run. The Dodgers have covered the runline 61 percent of the time this season. Play LA -1.5 runs at +130.

As strong as the trade deadline moves were for the Padres, nothing matters unless results take place. Tonight pressure is on the Padres. The Dodgers have dominated the series this year and are playing top-notch baseball, with five straight victories. Grab L.A. to boost its win streak to six.