BIG AL's MLB DIVISION GAME OF THE WEEK (302-222)!

At 4:10 pm, our selection is on the San Diego Padres over the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Tonight is a chance for Blake Snell to get some revenge.  Snell was on the mound against the Dodgers in last year's World Series Game 6 -- the final game of the series that was won by L.A. despite Snell pitching brilliantly.  And this afternoon, the 28-year-old southpaw will have arguably a better team behind than he did when he was starting for the Rays last fall.  The Padres finished last season with the second-best record in the NL and they have improved themselves over the off-season and figure to give the Dodgers -- favored by everyone to return to the World Series -- a run for their money. Snell has a 4.35 ERA through his first three starts but that number is a bit misleading.  He lasted less than an inning in his last start which was in Pittsburgh rather than pitcher-friendly Petco Park.  In his two starts here, Snell has allowed two earned runs in 9 2/3 IP with 16 K's.  Snell's teams are also 14-6 (+3 games on the moneyline) in his last 20 home starts.  And he has a career 2.25 ERA vs. the Dodgers in three starts.  Los Angeles will hand the ball to RHP Trevor Bauer this afternoon.  Unfortunately, Bauer is a dismal 0-4 vs. the Padres with an ERA north of 5 runs a game.  Finally, Snell's teams are 27-19 (plus 8 games on the moneyline) with him on the hill, when the odds range from +125 to -125, while Bauer's teams are a poor 18-25 (minus 8 games on the moneyline) on the road in the same price range.  Take the Padres.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.