#908 PADRES with Cortes (-139) over Giants with Ray at 9:40 PM EST
Following three division losses in Los Angeles to the Dodgers, San Diego returns home Monday evening seeking to regain momentum in their pursuit of the NL West regular season title. Currently two games behind in the standings, manager Mike Shildt and his team aims for a crucial win.

Left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes will start for the Padres. In two August appearances against the Giants and Diamondbacks, he allowed only three earned runs and nine hits over 9.1 innings, recording nine strikeouts and four walks with a 2.89 ERA and a 0-0 record. Over eight professional seasons, Cortes has given up 251 earned runs and 517 hits across 585.1 innings, resulting in a career record of 34-22 and a 3.86 ERA.

Robbie Ray, also a left-hander, will start for the Giants. This season, Ray has made 25 starts, conceding 49 earned runs and 112 hits in 148.0 innings. He tallied 152 strikeouts and 56 walks, posting a 9-6 record and a 2.98 ERA. In 20 career outings against San Diego, Ray holds a 6-7 record with a 4.25 ERA.

Several performance trends support San Diego’s position. The Padres have won 31 of their last 54 games following a loss, 38 of their past 58 games played at PETCO Park, and 30 of their previous 45 matchups as home favorites. Conversely, the Giants have lost 24 of their last 45 games as underdogs and 21 of their last 33 contests against left-handed starters.

San Diego is well-positioned to leverage home-field advantage in this divisional matchup. Take San Diego with Cortes. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.

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