The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are set to clash for the first time this season when they begin a three-game series at Petco Park on Monday.
Both teams enter the matchup on respective hot streaks, with the Dodgers having won five consecutive games and the Padres coming off a three-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners.
The Padres have been the Dodgers’ biggest threat in the National League West in recent years, and that again has been the case so far this season with the teams separated by only a half-game.
“I think so,” manager Dave Roberts answered when asked if the the Dodgers have benefitted from the Padres’ competitiveness. “I think it’s good for us, I think it’s good for baseball, I think it’s good for Southern California, the National League. They’re talented, and I think it’s good.”
Roberts dismissed the Dodgers’ recent success as being important going into their first series with the Padres, but admitted both teams seem to rise up when they play each other.
“No. I think in theory, ideally, yes,” Roberts began. “But I think we bring out the best in them, they bring out the best in us.
“I’d say we’re playing well now. I don’t think it has any bearing on what’s going to happen in the series, but it’s going to be a fun series.”
The Dodgers dominated the Padres last year as they took nine of 13 head-to-head meetings en route to winning their 12th NL West title in the last 13 seasons. San Diego finished three games behind L.A., which shows the importance of winning the season series even if players and coaches sometimes downplay it.
The Dodgers went on to repeat as World Series champions, while the Padres were eliminated by the Chicago Cubs in the NL Wild Card Series.
Dave Roberts reacts Padres sale
The Padres made headlines earlier this month when they were sold to an investor group led by private equity billionaire José E. Feliciano for a record price of $3.9 billion.
The sale shows that the Padres remain committed to winning despite playing in a smaller market and reducing their payroll this season.
“I think the valuation of the Padres is a good thing for baseball. Very good,” Roberts said.
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