Editorials

Dodgers-Padres Preview: Dodgers Now Playing For Home Field Advantage

The Dodgers finally clinched the NL West yesterday by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-6. While they’ve been struggling of late, the Dodgers were finally able to capture the division title and now they can focus on getting healthy for the playoffs.

However, they’re still behind the Braves and Cardinals in the National League standings and they could start the NLDS on the road. With only nine games remaining, the Dodgers must focus on grabbing as many wins as they can so they can at the very least end up with the second seed in the NL.



The Dodgers are one game behind the Cardinals, but the Cardinals are still trying to fend off the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds for the NL Central crown. Good news for the Dodgers is they won’t face a team with a winning record the rest of the way and their final three games are at Dodger Stadium.

After celebrating in the pool in Arizona, the Dodgers now head to San Diego for a three-game series at Petco Park. While the Padres have nothing to play for, they’re well aware the Dodgers need every win for better positioning in the postseason.

The Padres are 71-81 and sit in third place in the NL West. It’s been a struggle offensively for the Padres as they currently rank 28th in runs scored and 22nd in batting average. This could be a great opportunity for the Dodgers’ pitching staff to regain their confidence.

The Dodger bats are primed for a good series as well. The Padres currently rank 22nd in ERA and while the offense performed in their last game in Arizona, they must work on being more consistent.

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Alex Torres

Staff writer for Dodgers Nation and excited to cover the best team in baseball. Follow him on Twitter at @uclakers38

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