The San Diego Padres are facing elimination at Petco Park, but I like their chances of keeping the series alive against a Milwaukee Brewers team that has taken both NLDS games by just one run.
My Brewers vs. Padres predictions back San Diego on the moneyline behind a clear starting-pitching edge with Nick Pivetta, while Jackson Merrill is also in a strong spot at the plate.
Check out the rest of my MLB picks for Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 9:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
TOP PICK
Brewers vs Padres prediction: Padres moneyline
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I’d play the San Diego Padres to 59%.
The current price gives us room to back the Padres straight up rather than ask them to cover the run line.
Nick Pivetta returned from an elbow flexor strain and posted a 1.45 ERA across four September starts, allowing three earned runs in 18 2/3 innings. He then held Chicago to one run over 3 1/3 innings in the Wild Card round.
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Dustin May finished with a 4.70 ERA, fading badly down the stretch, with a 5.65 ERA across 10 starts since the deadline deal while rarely working deep.
The venue matters in an elimination game. San Diego went 51-30 at Petco Park this season and swept Milwaukee here in a three-game set in August. The moneyline is the right side over the run line given how tight the first two games were.
COVERS INTEL: May has a 7.61 ERA over his last eight regular-season starts and cleared 3 2/3 innings just once in five September outings. He could be gone early, allowing San Diego to attack Milwaukee’s bullpen.
Brewers vs Padres combo
I’d play this combo to 21%.
The layout follows a straightforward San Diego win script. Pivetta gives the Padres competitive innings while missing enough bats to clear a modest strikeout line, and Fernando Tatis Jr. contributes near the top of the order.
Brewers vs Padres combo
- Padres moneyline
- Nick Pivetta 4+ strikeouts
- Fernando Tatis Jr. 2+ hits + runs + RBI
Brewers vs Padres home run prediction: Jackson Merrill
I’d play Jackson Merrill to 19% for a quarter unit. He’s the most interesting home run value on this board, or if you'd prefer another option, Colby Marchio's Brewers vs. Padres props feature Merrill Over 1.5 H/R/R.
May had far more trouble with left-handed hitters this season, allowing them to bat .298 with a .447 slugging percentage.
His arsenal leans on four-seamers, cutters, and sinkers, which combine for nearly 70% of his pitches. Merrill has done his best damage against the latter two, slugging .563 against sinkers and .500 against cutters, and he posted a 60% hard-hit rate against four-seamers.
Brewers vs Padres player prop: Nick Pivetta Over 3.5 strikeouts
I’d play Pivetta Over 3.5 strikeouts to 62%.
Pivetta had at least four strikeouts in seven of his eight starts this season, including four over just 3 1/3 innings against Chicago in the Wild Card Round. He struck out seven in 4 2/3 innings in his final regular-season outing.
Milwaukee carried a 22.3% strikeout rate against right-handed pitching. Four punchouts stay in reach even if San Diego gives Pivetta a shorter leash in an elimination game.
- Top picks: 18-18, -1.69 units
- Combos: 1-1, +1 unit
Brewers vs Padres market trends
Here is how trusted traders at Polymarket are dealing on tonight's Brewers vs. Padres Game 3, with the bulk of the volume and "smart money" on the visitors.
Brewers vs Padres weather
Petco Park is unusually warm for October, at 82 degrees at first pitch, with 56% humidity and almost no risk of rain. An 8.5-mph wind is brisk enough to matter off the bat, which adds a touch of carry to the Jackson Merrill home run bet.
Brewers vs Padres odds
- Moneyline: Brewers 46% | Padres 55%
- Run line: Brewers +1.5 | Padres -1.5
- Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5
Brewers vs Padres trend
The Padres are 6-0 in Pivetta's last six starts. Find more MLB betting trends for Brewers vs. Padres.
How to watch Brewers vs Padres and game info
| Location | Petco Park, San Diego, Calif. |
| Date | Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2026 |
| First pitch | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | FS1 |
| Brewers starting pitcher | Dustin May (7-9, 4.70 ERA) *regular season |
| Padres starting pitcher | Nick Pivetta (0-0, 2.70 ERA) |
Brewers vs Padres latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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