Dodgers Could Face Padres Threat in Postseason After Series Loss

The San Diego Padres have emerged as a significant postseason threat to the Los Angeles Dodgers, following a 2-1 series victory over their rivals this week. This performance has rekindled memories of a past playoff encounter and highlighted the Padres' potential to disrupt the Dodgers' path to a World Series title.

Manny Machado, a key player for the Padres, reflected on past celebrations at Dodger Stadium, noting that while they had celebrated reaching the playoffs before, it did not end favorably. Two years prior, the Padres were eliminated by the Dodgers in the National League Division Series. Despite being acknowledged as a tough opponent on their championship run, the defeat remained painful for San Diego.

"Hopefully, this is different," Machado stated, indicating a renewed confidence in the current Padres squad. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the talent of the Padres, emphasizing that he never counted them out. The Dodgers themselves secured a first-round bye in the playoffs after the Atlanta Braves lost to the Cincinnati Reds. If the Dodgers maintain their position as the NL's No. 2 seed, they would face the winner of a Wild Card Series between the Braves and the No. 6 seed.

The Padres, currently the No. 4 seed, are slated to play the No. 5 seed in the Wild Card round. However, their remaining regular-season schedule against the Arizona Diamondbacks, who are vying for the final wild card spot, could influence their seeding. This situation presents a potential challenge for the Dodgers if the Padres, having already clinched a postseason berth, fall to the No. 6 seed and then defeat the Braves. The Padres have demonstrated strong performance since the All-Star break, boasting a .651 winning percentage.

Despite the Dodgers winning seven of their ten regular-season meetings prior to this week's series, the Padres have shown they can exploit the Dodgers' weaknesses. The recent series underscored this, particularly with the Padres' formidable bullpen.

"We’re one of those teams that if we play well, we can beat anybody," said right-hander Walker Buehler, who previously pitched for the Dodgers. In the games the Dodgers lost, they outhit their opponents but struggled to deliver crucial blows at critical moments, a recurring issue from earlier in the season.

The Dodgers typically aim to wear down opposing starters and attack the bullpen, but the Padres' relief corps is considered their strength. It features one of baseball's top closers, Mason Miller, and a potent left-hander in Adrian Morejon. Notably, the only game the Dodgers won in the series was against Padres starter Michael King. In the other games, the Padres' bullpen effectively shut down the Dodgers' offense.

In the second game of the series, the Padres brought in reliever David Morgan after starter Robbie Ray struggled with the bases loaded. Morgan limited the damage, and the Padres went on to win 2-1. Despite a strong showing from Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow in the finale, the Padres secured a 4-2 victory with key runs in the sixth and seventh innings. "We pitched great from start to finish," said Miller, who closed out the win. Shohei Ohtani managed a late double off Miller, but it was not enough to change the outcome.

The Padres' recent momentum, marked by their .651 winning percentage since the All-Star break, suggests they are a team peaking at the right time. "We kind of locked in as a group," Machado commented, expressing belief in the Padres' chances to win their first World Series.