The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres begin a three-game series at Petco Park, marking their first meeting of the season. The Dodgers arrive after winning five straight games, while the Padres come off a three-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners. The teams have been close in the National League West standings, separated by only a half-game. The Padres have often been the Dodgers’ toughest opponent in recent years, and both managers expect the matchup to bring out the best in each team. The Dodgers dominated last season’s head-to-head record, winning nine of 13 games, and later repeated as World Series champions. The Padres were eliminated by the Chicago Cubs in the NL Wild Card Series, and the franchise was recently sold for a record $3.9 billion.
"“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.”"
"“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 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"
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