A close NL West race with the San Diego Padres is forcing the Los Angeles Dodgers to maintain competitive intensity across the entire regular season. That sustained pressure is expected to improve postseason readiness by preventing early complacency. The Dodgers have dominated the division for most of the last decade, with the 2021 exception followed by an early playoff exit. Team leadership continues to stress the importance of winning the division. Offensively, the Dodgers struggled in the Petco Park series, producing just two runs and going 3-for-54 with zero RBIs aside from two solo homers.
In a conversation on his podcast, Betts spoke with Will Smith about the tight division race amid the Dodgers' final regular season series against the Padres this weekend. "I kind of appreciate this because it forces us to play the whole season," Betts said on B/R Walk-Off. "I remember my first couple of years we won the division with weeks left in the season. "But now with being tied in the division, it's going to help us in the long run."
Heading into Sunday's series finale, the Dodgers offense has generated just two runs between the first two games at Petco Park. Aside from two solo homers from rookie Alex Freeland, the Dodgers lineup has gone 3-for-54 with zero runs batted in. The Dodgers have simply not been able to produce thus far in the matchup, and it's cost LA the lead in the division.
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