MILWAUKEE — Their matchups against the Dodgers are no longer a measuring stick by which the Padres see how far they have to go.

They won the season series in 2024 for the first time since 2010. They have split the two playoff series the teams have played in the past three years.

Yes, the Padres are still chasing the Dodgers. They still want to beat the Dodgers when it matters most.

But in June, the Dodgers are essentially the Brewers or the Giants.

“We normalize the excellence regardless of who we’re competing against,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “And that’s why there’s really not like it’s a big series or it’s a big game. They’re all big. They’re all important.”

Anyone who listens to Shildt regularly knows he means it. Anyone who watches the Padres regularly knows the players h

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