Series Preview: Padres and Dodgers face off in San Diego

While both teams are still figuring out their offense, the 9-5 Padres welcome to town the 9-3 Dodgers in a series that probably feels more important than it is.

After a day off, the San Diego Padres welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers to Petco Park for a three-game set before having another day off. All of that time to rest means that the Padres should have every player available and rested for this series.

I think, because of the “island” nature of this series, it feels bigger than it should be. This is, after all, just an early season series between division rivals. There will be a lot of opportunities for them to face off later in the season when they’re at their best, but this feels like an opportunity for Bob Melvin and the Padres to prove that they’re unafraid of their neighbors to the north.

A quick look back

San Diego Padres
9-5 overall
Last series: Won 3-0 over Cincinnati Reds

Los Angeles Dodgers
9-3 overall
Last series: Won 2-1 over Atlanta Braves

The Padres split a four-game series against the Braves and then swept the Reds. The Dodgers swept the Reds in a four-game series and then took two of three from the Braves. When you look at it that way, maybe these two teams are not too different from one another.