Thanks to Thursday’s escape from Denver to salvage a series split at Coors Field, the Dodgers still haven’t lost a series to a National League West team this season in 10 tries. They’ll put that mark to the test this weekend against the Padres at Petco Park in San Diego.
The Dodgers’ 24-9 (.727) record against the National League West is the second-best record by any MLB team against any division this season, behind only the red-hot Brewers at 20-7 (.741) against the NL East.
That includes three series wins in three tries against the Padres, including a three-game sweep last week at Dodger Stadium that is as good a reason as any that the Dodgers are the team entering this weekend on top in the division rather than trailing.
While the Dodgers are 8-2 against the Padres, the composite score of the 10 games is closer, with Los Angeles holding a 49-43 advantage in runs scored. The distribution of those runs has served the Dodgers well, scoring at least four runs seven times, all wins. San Diego has scored four or more runs only five times in the 10 games, and lost all five games scoring three runs or fewer.
The overall batting lines between the two teams are similar through their first 10 matchups, with the Dodgers hitting .237/.321/.394 compared to .242/.321/.383 for the Padres. One difference is the Dodgers hitting 12 home runs compared to six for San Diego.
None of those Padres home runs have come with runners in scoring position, hitting just .237/.333/.323 in those situations in 119 plate appearances. The Dodgers have 26 fewer PA with runners in scoring position in games against the Padres, but have thrived with a .289/.355/.513 line and four home runs, driving in 38 runs compared to only 30 RBI for San Diego despite several more opportunities.
The Dodgers are set up pretty well for the series on the pitching side, with expected postseason starters Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are set to start this weekend in San Diego.
*Snell also pitched three times for the Rays in the disjointed 2020 postseason at Petco Park, which was a neutral site for two rounds of American League playoffs. In all three starts the Rays were the home team in San Diego, with Snell giving up seven runs in 14 innings.