The Los Angeles Dodgers head back to California for a three-game set against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.
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The division rivals will meet for the first time Monday since their clash in the National League Division Series last October. The matchup is poised to be a competitive battle, and likely a preview for what’s to come in October.
However, manager Dave Roberts isn’t leaning into the hype.
“Outside of it just being a division opponent and us trying to find a way to win a game, it really doesn’t have any extra impact,” Roberts said Sunday. “I think right now we’re not playing our best baseball, but I think that environment is going to bring out the best in us. It’s a fun place to play a ballgame. But as far as the stakes, right now, I don’t think it has a whole lot.”
The Padres have always been known as the “little brother” of the Dodgers, and it could be why Roberts doesn’t believe the matchup is anything but another series this season.
“Those fans, those players get up for playing us,” he said. “Obviously the geography part of it, the rivalry part of it – but I do think we do a good job of trying not to put too much emphasis on going into that environment other than playing a division rival, because at the end of the day it comes down to playing good baseball. But it’s still fun, though.”
The National League West is arguably the best division in baseball, and the series between the Dodgers and Padres will likely have implications for both clubs amid a tight division race in 2025. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman even mentioned the competitiveness of the NL West when discussing player cuts.
The Dodgers may not embrace the excitement surrounding the divisional showdown, but it’s certainly an important series as the team has made it known winning the NL West is a priority.
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Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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One Response
The Padres (and their fans), like the Angels (and their fans) play the Dodgers like it’s a World Series. Roberts should NOT be making this like any other team (game). If both of these teams played every team like they play the Dodgers, the Padres might be in 1st place and the Angels might not be in the cellar. Our Dodgers cannot ease up on either of these teams.