The San Diego Padres completed a sweep of the Atlanta Braves in the Wild Card Series and punched their ticket to the National League Division Series for a showdown with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers went just 5-8 against the Padres this season, but won two of three in their most recent series to clinch the NL West.
The teams are facing each other for just the third time in MLB postseason history. San Diego eliminated L.A. in the 2022 NLDS, which they felt at the time was a changing of the tides.
Padres rookie Jackson Merrill is new to rivalry and is looking forward to playing his first postseason games at Dodger Stadium.
“It’s going to be unreal. I know it’s going to be loud and energetic,” Merrill said after the Padres eliminated the Braves.
“It will be cool kind of playing in an away stadium the first time in the playoffs. I think I will take a second to take it in, just like I’ve taken it in here. But we’re going to play our A game. We’re going to play our Padres baseball. We’re going to go at them. I just want our guys to be ready and trust each other.”
The Padres went into the All-Star break just one game over .500, but posted the best record in baseball during the second half to reach the postseason.
Manager Mike Shildt believes the club has to keep playing to their strengths in order to get past the NLDS. “We’re going to play our game. It’s about what we do,” he began.
“Clearly going to respect them; they’ve got a really nice club. We fought tooth and nail to get to the end of the season, for the division. But now we’re in the part of the season where winner moves on and we wouldn’t want it any other way.
“It’s going to be a wonderful series. We’re super excited about it. Can’t wait. Wished we played tomorrow. But we’ll be ready to show up get after it Saturday. It’s going to be two wonderful venues and high-stakes baseball, and that’s what we play for.”
Padres vs. Dodgers NLDS schedule
Saturday, Oct. 5: Game 1, 5:38 p.m. PT, Dodger Stadium, FS1
Sunday, Oct. 6: Game 2, 5:08 p.m. PT, Dodger Stadium, FS1
Tuesday, Oct. 8: Game 3, Petco Park, TBD
Wednesday, Oct. 9: Game 4*, Petco Park, TBD
Friday, Oct. 11: Game 5*, Dodger Stadium
*if necessary
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