Plenty has been made when the Los Angeles Dodgers have faced the San Diego Padres over recent years, with some declaring a rivalry due to increased levels of tension and three meetings in the postseason since 2020.
There is plenty of intrigue surrounding the two teams yet again as the Padres have overtaken the Dodgers for first place in the National League West. It’s the latest San Diego has held sole possession of first place in the division since Sept. 25, 2010.
With the Padres and Dodgers trending in opposite directions over the past six weeks, Friday marks the start of six head-to-head meetings in a span of 10 days.
“We know it’s big, but it kind of is what it is. We can’t make it more than it is,” Mookie Betts said. “It’s another series in August, obviously we all know it’s big and X, Y and Z, but we can’t look at it that way. We have to look at it as the same game as today, play our game and not try and be too high or too low.”
When the Padres and Dodgers last met, the series ended with fireworks and suspensions followed for manager Mike Shildt, closer Robert and manager Dave Roberts.
The Dodgers won three of four games at Dodger Stadium, which came shortly after taking two of three at Petco Park.
Mookie Betts find silver lining with Dodgers
While the Dodgers have scuffled along, Betts personally is on a season-best eight-game hitting streak. Within that are five multi-hit efforts.
Beyond his individual turnaround of late, Betts is still encouraged with the Dodgers as a whole despite their four-game losing streak and recent struggles in one-run games.
“It just depends on your perspective,” he began. “For me, it’s encouraging to know we’re giving ourselves a chance to win every night. It’s not like we’re going out there and just laying eggs. We’re going out there and doing what we can, and just falling short right now. Who knows? In a couple days it could be opposite.”
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