NLDS Game 3 pitching matchup a golden opportunity for Padres to break Dodgers’ spirit

Things are heating up in Southern California despite the fact that autumn has arrived. The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers will head onto the diamond for Game 3 of what's become a rather continuous National League Division Series.

The Dodgers upended the Friars in Game 1, but San Diego got back to their winning ways on Sunday night at Chavez Ravine. The Padres assaulted LA's pitching staff with six round-trippers in Game 2 and both clubs are looking to take a crucial step toward the NLCS with a victory on Tuesday at Petco Park.

It's fair to say, especially if Freddie Freeman is back in the Dodgers lineup for Game 3, that both the Friars and Dodgers are relatively evenly matched when it comes to their respective starting lineups. The Dodgers have Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Shohei Ohtani, but the Padres will counter with Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, and Fernando Tatis Jr. Both offenses possess the talent to put up crooked numbers night in and night out.

Padres send Michael King to the mound for critical Game 3 vs Dodgers

But when it comes to the pitching matchup on Tuesday night, the Padres have a clear advantage. Michael King will head to the bump for San Diego after utterly demolishing the Atlanta Braves during the NL Wild Card Series last week. King struck out 12 batters without allowing a walk or a run. The right-hander was flat-out dominant.

Compare that to what LA's running out for Game 3, and San Diego has a distinct advantage. Walker Buehler is Dave Roberts' starter on Tuesday night. The former first-round pick has endured a season he'd just as soon forget. Buehler is 1-6 in 16 starts with a 5.38 ERA. Buehler's last outing of the season, however, was against the Padres, and the right-hander allowed just one run on five hits over five innings.

King has seen the Dodgers plenty of times this season. The 29-year-old has four starts against LA and owns a 3.10 ERA against the Dodgers. Given how well San Diego's bats have been during the postseason thus far, if King can bring that same type of performance for Game 3, the Friar faithful will be quite confident for Game 3.

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