Ricky Dimon
Show Bio
It is true that the NCAA Tournament has center stage this week and the MLB season usually doesn’t begin until the end – or near the end – of the Big Dance. This year, however, they start at the same time – sort of. While most MLB franchise are still in the middle of spring training, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres will play a pair of real, meaningful, regular-season games in Seoul, South Korea. This unique National League West version of Opening Day is set for Wednesday evening in Seoul.
Here is my Same Game Parlay for the festivities, which will be televised starting at 6:05 am ET on ESPN. Also be sure to check out our full Dodgers vs Padres predictions.
Padres ML (+162)
Under 8.5 (+100)
Freddie Freeman to record an RBI (+110)
Same Game Parlay odds: +2083
Part of the value in a Same Game Parlay, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. At the same time, plays that aren’t correlated drive up the overall payout of the parlay. That is the entire plan here, as Freddie Freeman driving in a run obviously goes against a Padres win and the under. But even if Freeman produces an RBI, there is no reason why the other legs can’t cash. Let’s break down the entire SGP.
San Diego Padres ML over Los Angeles Dodgers (+162)
Yes, the Dodgers are the more talented team. However, there are a lot of unusual variables in play. This is the season opener, it’s being played on the other side of the world in South Korea and starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow is making his Los Angeles debut. Those are just too many curveballs for me to back a heavy favorite at a price that has no value. Instead, give me the underdog Padres at +162. A familiar face in Yu Darvis is toeing the rubber for San Diego for the beginning of his fourth season with this franchise. His numbers underwhelmed last year (4.56 ERA), but he absolutely owned the Dodgers to the tune of just 3 earned runs allowed in 13.2 innings. Against L.A. in 2022 he pitched to a 2.52 ERA in 4 starts across 25.0 innings. As if that isn’t enough, in 2021 Darvish befuddled Los Angeles to the tune of a 2.70 ERA in 5 outings (30.0 innings of work in total). There mere fact that Darvish is toeing the rubber on Wednesday gives San Diego a great chance.
Read our full LA Dodgers vs San Diego Padres predictions
Under 8.5 (+100)
The Gocheok Sky Dome is 325 feet to left and right field and 400 feet to dead center. The fence is 12 feet high and the entire field is artificial turf. It’s an unfamiliar track for the fielders, of course, but at the same time there is nothing peculiar about it. The defense should be good and we already know the pitching should be effective with both teams starting their aces. Darvish’s accolades were mentioned above, while the Dodgers are countering with new signee Tyler Glasnow. He went 10-7 with a 3.53 ERA in his final season with the Tampa Bay Rays and he is backed by a stout Los Angeles bullpen. Moreover, early in seasons the pitchers are well rested whereas the hitters are rusty. The pitching usually has the edge at the start. Give me the under.
Freddie Freeman to record an RBI (+110)
Not many Dodgers players have enjoyed success against Darvish, but Freeman has been good enough in this matchup. The veteran first baseman is 8-for-28 lifetime (.286) with 4 extra-base hits, including 2 home runs. Freeman is coming off a fantastic second season with the Dodgers, batting .331 with 29 homers, 102 RBIs and 131 runs scored. Now he is hitting behind Shohei Ohtani the lineup, with Mookie Betts still manning the leadoff spot. You can expect Freeman to be stepping into the box with men on base multiple times on Wednesday. Look for him to get off to a hot start by driving in at least 1 run in the season opener.
