The San Diego Padres must keep winning if they have any shot at clinching a wild card spot in the National League, and it continues Monday when they face the San Francisco Giants in the first of a critical three-game road set at Oracle Park, in San Francisco, California. They toss out the first pitch at 9:45 p.m. San Diego is -115 for Monday's clash. 

The Padres (77-79) have been one of the most talented teams on paper over the last five or so seasons, but they have also been one of the most inconsistent teams in all of baseball and this season is no different. They have had bickering in the dugout and players have seemed to freely turn around and question their own teammates.

But, with all that being said, San Diego is still mathematically alive for a postseason appearance if things break right for them, which also includes winning out. They have a ton of power in their lineup, led by veteran sluggers Manny Machado and Juan Soto. Machado has hit 30 home runs while Soto has clubbed 33 on the season. 

They score in bunches but can never put together solid winning streaks. Even though they have won nine of ten overall. They picked the best time to play their best baseball. They will send out 

30-year-old Blake Snell, who has a record of 14-9 on the season to go along with an ERA of 2.33 on the season.

The Giants (77-79) were a team that many thought could contend for a playoff spot in the National League and some pundits even predicted the Giants as a team to beat coming out of the NL West. Neither has been true. They faded pretty early into the season and although they tried to battle back they have just been completely buried in the division and near the bottom of the cellar. Only the 56-win Colorado Rockies are worse in that division. 

They have dropped two straight and eight of ten overall, including Sunday's tough 3-2 loss in ten innings to the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

They are led by J.D. Davis, who has hit 18 home runs on the season to go along with 69 RBI on the season. They have hit a total of 168 home runs this season. San Francisco has some nice hitters but pitching has been an issue for them this season. They have a team ERA of 4.08 on the season. They will hand the ball over to Logan Webb, who sports a 10-13 record on the season. 

The Giants are 1-4 in their last five games and 1-4 in their last five games against the spread. They are also 32-48 in their road games against the number. The totals have gone over in three of their last five games and 30 out of the last 75 games at home. The Padres are 4-1 in their last five games and 3-2 in their last five games against the spread. The Padres are 36-39 in their road games against the spread. The totals have gone over in one of their last five games and the totals have gone over in 30 out of their last 80 games at home. 

The Padres are in a must-win situation to close the season. We will take them here!