The Hill The Padres Can’t Dodge

Courtesy: K.C. Alfred/ The San Diego Union-Tribune

For years now, the Padres have been under Dodger dominance. The Dodgers have been the Padres’ Achilles heel, and it’s time for San Diego to confront this once and for all. According to CBS Sports, the Padres have not won a series against the Dodgers in 12 years. Since 2011, Los Angeles is 127-63 against the Padres, but now there is hope.

Moves at the deadline from Padres general manager AJ Preller brought optimism to San Diego as there is a new big three in the game of baseball. The big splash made by Preller got them an offense headlined by Juan Soto, Manny Machado, and Fernando Tatis Jr., who is making strides to return to the team. Is Soto the final piece of the puzzle for the Padres to get over feeling blue? Only time will tell, but now the Padres have an offense strong enough to give the Dodgers a run for their money.

However, the weekend series between the two teams put this slight optimism to rest.

The Dodgers swept a three-game series against the Padres, shutting out San Diego on Sunday Night Baseball. LA silenced the Padres offense, not allowing a run in 14 innings as the streak continued against the Giants. The scoreless streak extended to 27 innings before a Soto home run snapped the streak in the fourth inning.

The weekend series proved the Dodgers still have the Padres’ number, and acquiring a generational talent like Soto made no difference. The Padres have to win now, and the pieces have fallen into place to give them a formidable team. The only thing standing in their way is the team who caused so much anguish for years. This season the Padres have only won two games against the Dodgers, who are a powerhouse out of the National League. The two teams will meet nine more times before the end of the season as the Padres have been without their star, Fernando Tatis Jr. His season debut could revitalize the offense giving the team a well-needed boost.

The Padres and Dodgers met in the playoffs for the first time in the 2020 NLDS. The Dodgers swept the Padres in three games, ending championship aspirations for San Diego. The 2020 playoff appearance snapped a 14-year postseason drought for the Padres, as it was a long time coming for Padres fans to only be swept by the Dodgers.

The Padres are coming off one of the biggest disappointing seasons in franchise history in 2021. The team started hot with Tatis Jr. playing at an MVP caliber and having one of the best records in baseball. However, according to the Ringer, a huge collapse awaited them as they went 44-58 since their peak in May. From World Series favorites to being eliminated from postseason contention in September, the 2021 season was a massive disappointment. In 2022, another disappointing season would be disastrous for the team after moves were made at the deadline.

All eyes are on San Diego after the fanbase was taken on an emotional rollercoaster within the span of a week. From trading for Juan Soto, Josh Bell, Brandon Drury, and Josh Hader to being swept by their rivals and going on a 27-inning scoreless streak.

Now, it’s time to put up or shut up for the Padres, who have the best team in franchise history and can now combat the star-studded Dodgers.