Quote from ultratvfan on August 14, 2025, 6:35 pm

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Friday August 15 - 7:10pm, TV: San Diego Cox 83
RHP Michael King(4-2, 2.81 ERA, 65 K, .206 BAA) vs LHP Clayton Kershaw(6-2, 3.14 ERA, 46 K, .261 BAA)

Saturday, August 16 - 6:10pm, TV: San Diego Cox 83
RHP Dylan Cease(5-10, 4.52 ERA, 169 K, .237 BAA) vs LHP Blake Snell(2-1, 2.37 ERA, 22 K, .240 BAA)

Sunday, August 17 - 1:10pm, TV: San Diego Cox 83
RHP Yu Darvish(2-3, 5.61 ERA, 29 K, .238 BAA) vs RHP Tyler Glasnow(1-1, 3.08 ERA, 64 K, .172 BAA)

On July 3, the Padres were 9 games back. Six weeks later, they gained 10 games and in first place one game ahead of the Dodgers. In that same time span, the Dodgers went 12-21. I never thought this would actually happen this late in the season but I was hoping. This time last year the Padres were 3.5 games back of the Dodgers.

This will be one of the biggest NL West Showdowns of the season and a very crucial series. The Dodgers lead the season series 5-2. The Padres are fortunate to miss Yamamoto and Ohtani on the mound as well as closer Tanner Scott, who is on the IL. The Padres obliterated the Giants two best pitchers, Webb and Ray. Can they do it again to the Dodgers best pitchers?

King  was placed on the 15-day IL (retroactive to Monday) with left knee inflammation. Vasquez was recalled. He may pitch Friday or Cease might be moved up one day on regular rest due to the day off. Whoever is pitching is going up against Kershaw, who has allowed only 1 run against the tough Blue Jays.

Cease is coming off back to back solid outings allowing only 2 runs in 11 IP. The 2 runs were by the Red Sox in the 7th due to a botched fielding error by Bogaert. He is going up against former Padre Snell, who has allowed more than 2 runs only once in 4 starts this season and had a solid outing against the Blue Jays pitching 5 scoreless innings.

Darvish is starting to come back to form. In two of his last three starts he shut out the Mets in 7 IP and allowed only 1 run against the Giants in 6 IP. He is going up against Glasnow, who has been very tough and has allowed more than 2 runs only twice in 11 starts.

The Padres are tied with the Phillies for the 4th best record in MLB and for the 2nd best record in the NL. Should they finish with at least the 2nd best record in NL, they will have a bye week.

The Padres put themselves in the driver seat completely controlling their own destiny.

BEAT L.A., BEAT L.A., BEAT L.A.

GO PADRES!