The San Diego Padres spent big at the trade deadline, and it’s paying off. After a solid stretch following their moves, the Padres are now tied atop the National League West with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But here’s what makes this moment different: it’s the first time since 2010 that San Diego has been in such a strong position this late in the season.
“It’s the first time San Diego (68-52) has held at least a share of first place after any All-Star break since 2010,” writes Dennis Lin of The Athletic. “And with a pair of weekend series coming up against Los Angeles, the Padres will soon have the opportunity to speed past the Dodgers.”
That’s 15 years of waiting to get back to this spot. It’s a sign that A.J. Preller’s spending spree is shaping up to be worth every penny.
The timing couldn’t be better. After wrapping up their series against the San Francisco Giants, the Padres head to Los Angeles for a massive weekend series. Then the following weekend, the Dodgers come to San Diego to finish the season series between these two teams.
Tale of Two Teams
While both clubs sit atop the division, they’ve gotten there in completely different ways.
The Dodgers have been the high-octane offense, scoring 621 runs while allowing 540. Meanwhile, San Diego has relied on pitching and defense, scoring just 498 runs but allowing only 456.
On the road, it’s a similar story. Los Angeles sits at 32-28 away from home, while the Padres are 30-32. Within the division, the Dodgers hold a slight edge at 19-7 compared to San Diego’s 18-13 mark.
The head-to-head matchup tells an interesting story too. Currently, the Padres are 2-5 against the Dodgers this season. But that record comes with a caveat.
Different Team, Different Story
When these teams last met in June, the Padres roster looked nothing like it does now. The addition of Mason Miller, Ramon Laureano, Ryan O’Hearn, and Freddy Fermin has completely changed San Diego’s makeup.
Miller, in particular, gives the Padres a lockdown closer they didn’t have in those earlier meetings. Laureano adds depth to the outfield, while O’Hearn and Fermin provide the kind of role players that make a difference in tight games.
What’s clear is that Preller’s deadline moves weren’t just about this season – they’re about breaking a cycle that’s lasted nearly two decades. The Padres haven’t won a division title since 2006, and they haven’t been in this strong a position this late since 2010.
With two crucial series against the Dodgers coming up in August, San Diego has a real chance to put some distance between themselves and Los Angeles. It’s the kind of opportunity that doesn’t come around often, especially for a franchise that’s spent most of the last 15 years watching October from home.
The question now is whether this revamped roster can deliver when it matters most.
