The stage is set for the battle of first-benchers. Yes, the upcoming Padres-Dodgers showdown feels less like a regular-season series and more like a three-night prize fight. While the Padres sit atop the division, the Dodgers are breathing down their neck, just a single win behind. And one game is all that separates first from second, bragging rights from scoreboard envy.

Of course, no one’s forgotten the last time these two met. That series was less about box scores and more about bruise counts, with a barrage of hit-by-pitches turning the diamond into a powder keg. So, if that was just the trailer, this weekend could be the blockbuster. Expect some high drama, bad blood, and a touch of unpredictability that only rivalry baseball can deliver.

But the intrigue isn’t just in the standings

See Full Page