San Diego Padres vs Los Angeles Angels Picks and Predictions May 12th 2025

Padres vs Angels: San Diego Confident, L.A. Scrambling

The San Diego Padres may have dropped the finale in Colorado, but their spirits remain sky-high. With a fresh six-game homestand starting Monday night at Petco Park, the Padres welcome the struggling Los Angeles Angels for a three-game showdown between two California teams moving in very different directions.

The Padres just wrapped up a 6-3 road trip, including a sweep in Pittsburgh and a pair of convincing wins in Colorado. Despite Sunday’s 9-3 loss, they hit .375 over the weekend and got reinforcements back from the IL. That’s not just a solid trip—that’s momentum.

Meanwhile, the Angels continue to spiral. They’ve now lost 18 of their last 25 games, plagued by an anemic offense and inconsistent pitching. Their most reliable bat on Sunday? Zach Neto, hitting .268.

Let’s dive into this intriguing cross-division battle between a team on the rise and another trying to stop the free fall.

San Diego Padres: Deep, Dangerous, and Ready to Roll

A Road Trip That Showed Depth

San Diego didn’t just win on the road—they built confidence. They improved to 11-10 away from home for the first time this season. More importantly, the offense woke up:

• 45 hits over three games in Colorado
• Scored 21 runs in first two games vs Rockies
• Welcomed back Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth

Even Sunday’s 9-3 loss didn’t shake the mood.

“One hundred sixty-two,” said Manny Machado, acknowledging the grind of the season. “It’s a beautiful thing.”

“Good road trip overall,” added manager Mike Shildt. “Absolutely, that’s good baseball.”

And now, they return to Petco Park, where they’re 14-4 on the season.

Looking for player trends and lineup tools? Visit our MLB Team Page for full data.

Michael King: Ace Mode Activated

Michael King (4-1, 2.22 ERA) gets the nod in Game 1. He’s quietly been one of MLB’s most effective arms, and his last start proved it:

• 6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER vs Yankees
• Left with a lead before the bullpen collapsed

While King is 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA against the Angels in his career, his current form makes him a nightmare matchup for an offense struggling to make contact.

If he commands his fastball and limits long innings, he could cruise at home.

Los Angeles Angels: Searching for a Spark

Offense in Freefall

Sunday’s 7-3 loss to Baltimore revealed glaring issues:

• .274 team OBP (worst in MLB)
• 4 starters under .200 batting average
• 6 hits, 10 strikeouts vs a staff with 5+ ERA

Despite ranking 5th in MLB with 52 homers, they average under four runs per game. The long ball is their only weapon—and even that hasn’t been reliable.

“We didn’t get much going,” said manager Dan Wilson. “Time to turn the page.”

They’ll try to do just that—against one of the hottest teams in the NL.

Yusei Kikuchi: Lefty Looking for Support

Yusei Kikuchi (0-4, 3.83 ERA) gets the call Monday. His record doesn’t tell the whole story:

• Solid ERA in 8 starts
• Only 1 ER allowed in last outing vs TOR (6 IP, 6 Ks)

But he’s struggled against San Diego:

• 1-1, 5.79 ERA in 3 starts
• 24 baserunners in just 14 innings

The key? Early command. If Kikuchi falls behind hitters, the Padres will feast.

Key Matchups to Watch

Michael King vs Mike Trout (if healthy)

Trout’s status remains fluid, but if he’s active, King will need to stay on the edges. Trout still possesses elite plate discipline, even if his power numbers are down.

Kikuchi vs Manny Machado

Machado hits lefties hard and sees Kikuchi well. A first-inning RBI could shift the tone of the game early.

Padres’ bullpen vs Angels’ late-inning push

If the game is close late, San Diego’s bullpen will need to protect the lead—something they failed to do in King’s last start.

X-Factors

Jackson Merrill (Padres)

Merrill sat out Sunday with illness but should return soon. His energy, contact ability, and clutch at-bats could flip a close game.

Logan O’Hoppe (Angels)

One of the few consistent producers for L.A., O’Hoppe can’t do it alone. But he’ll need to take advantage of every mistake from King.

Series Outlook: Who Has the Edge?

Padres have the advantage across the board: offense, pitching, depth, and momentum. The Angels need near-perfect execution to stay competitive.

Betting Preview & Best Picks

Game 1 Prediction

Padres 6, Angels 2

Michael King deals. Kikuchi battles, but the Angels’ offense once again falls short.

Best Bets:

• Padres -1.5
• Under 8.5 runs
• Manny Machado to get 1+ RBI

Looking for more betting props? Check out our full Expert Betting Guide.

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FAQs

Who’s pitching tonight for the Padres and Angels?
Michael King for San Diego; Yusei Kikuchi for Los Angeles.

Is Jackson Merrill playing?
He missed Sunday due to illness but is expected to return during the series.

What’s wrong with the Angels’ offense?
Lowest OBP in the majors and several starters hitting below .200.

Can Kikuchi get his first win?
Possibly—but only if the Angels give him run support, which has been rare.

Where can I see team stats and trends?
Head over to our MLB Team Page for full coverage.

Final Take: One Team Rising, One Team Reeling

The Padres aren’t just home—they’re healthy, hot, and hosting a team that can’t get out of its own way. If Michael King locks in, San Diego could be looking at a sweep. For the Angels, it’s about damage control and finding a way to grind out a game or two before this slide worsens.

Is this the beginning of a Padres run—or another chapter in the Angels’ struggles?

We’ll find out under the lights at Petco.