The San Diego Padres were the talk of the MLB trade deadline after adding Juan Soto, Josh Hader, Josh Bell and Brandon Drury to a roster that already featured plenty of star power.
The acquisitions set the stage for a highly anticipated three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers this weekend. However, the matchups at Dodger Stadium have been one-sided thus far as L.A. is in position to complete a series sweep.
The Dodgers have outscored the Padres, 16-4, in the first two games. Wil Myers expressed some concern the Padres have become too focused on the Dodgers but he believes their head-to-head meetings later in the year will swing back in their favor, per Dennis Lin of The Athletic:
“I think when we get going and get this team together a little more, we’ll turn around some wins,” outfielder Wil Myers said. “But I think … we put too much emphasis on (the Dodgers). And I think once the season gets going down the road, after we play together, these games will be different.”
While the Padres lineup is considerably more formidable with the additions of Soto, Bell and Drury, they are still waiting to get back Fernando Tatis Jr. He just began a rehab assignment and could return within the next two weeks.
The Dodgers and Padres are set to play each other nine more times during the regular season, with six of those matchups being at Petco Park. But in terms of the National League West, the Padres figure to be hard-pressed to make up a 14.5-game difference in the standings.
Dodgers embracing competition with Padres after Soto trade
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman was not surprised the Padres were so aggressive at the MLB trade deadline and hopes the moves make them more competitive.
“We fully expected it. A.J. and his crew, they’re really good at what they do and really aggressive,” he said of the Padres’ wheeling and dealing. “They made their team way better in the last couple of days. And we look forward to that competition. It wasn’t surprising to us.”
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