Hit hard early

See why my Padres vs. Dodgers predictions and MLB picks for August 17 eye the Under. The first two games of the series both resulted in an Under as the San Diego Padres have been slumbering at the plate, managing just two combined runs. With Tyler Glasnow on the hill, it’s hard to predict a quick return to form for San Diego’s bats.

Yu Darvish recoils as George Springer of the Houston Astros hits a two-run home run in the second inning of Game 7 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Nov. 1, 2017.

It was a big series to start, with the San Diego Padres moving a single game ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers atop the National League West. That got the attention of Dave Roberts and his defending World Series Champions.