Biggest Storylines Heading Into Padres & Dodgers 1st 2023 Matchup
For the majority of MLB teams, there would not be a ton of hype revolving around a three-game series that is taking place just a little over a month into the 2023 season.
However, the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers are not your ordinary teams. The last time we saw both of these squads hit the field at the same, the Friars crushed LA's World Series aspirations in 2022 and won in just four games.
We will now get the chance to see them face off in three straight matches at Petco Park starting today.
Padres Heating Up Right On Time
Even though the Dodgers are currently sitting at the number one seed in the NL West and the Padres are number three, San Diego is only trailing them by two games and both clubhouses did not get off to the hottest of starts.
Even though the Dodgers are currently sitting at the number one seed in the NL West and the Padres are number three, San Diego is only trailing them by two games and both clubhouses did not get off to the hottest of starts.
The Friars' main issue has been very clear and that is their offense. Despite bringing together what many considered the scariest four-man leading batting lineup in baseball, San Diego sat among the four worst hitting teams in the league for a couple of weeks.
However, things are starting to look up as of late. They have improved to the 23rd best batting average after just a couple of games, had a historic outing at Mexico City, and have been lead by their newest star in Xander Bogaerts.
Fernando Tatis Jr. has also joined the party after playing his first couple of weeks following a lengthy suspension and he's fallen into rhythm during some of the team's recent wins.
Boys In Blue Playing With Lots Of Heart
Many people looked at the Dodgers' 2023 roster and immediately brushed them off when they didn't see the typical amount of star power they usually have.
But they are proving that their esteemed veterans in Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, and Clayton Kershaw just to name a few are more than enough to lead the way. The youth culture has been very strong in LA but when you factor in that James Outman is looking like an NL MVP favorite along with guys like Miguel Vargas and Gavin Stone getting their numbers called, the development shows.
And that six-game winning streak that they are currently on is no joke. Clayton Kershaw will be taking the mound in the first game and LA made sure that he has great players following up the next two games with Dustin May and Julio Urias.
LA is making it clear to the Friars that they are going to try and shutout their batters. They do not care who is on their lineup and they are going to head into Petco Park with vengeance on their mind.
After that Max Muncy grand slam to beat the Philadelphia Phillies, their vibes are super high.
Who Will Be The X-Factor For Both Sides?
Manny Machado... my eyes are all on you for this one. He's had an extra day of rest compared to all of his teammates in preparation for this showdown and he has yet to really showcase his offensive just yet this season.
He is currently slashing .235/.281.378 which is significantly down from last season but he still possesses his elite defense and what better time to get hot at the plate than at home against your former team.
Then, when you look over at LA's side of things, I think it's pretty clear that they will need a big weekend from Freddie Freeman if they want a fighting chance and it goes beyond just his talent.
He was the final batter for LA that stepped up to the plate before they fell to SD in the NLDS and that image had to have stayed burned into his mind. He's had a solid past two weeks of offensive performances for LA and will certainly look to continue.
We will see all of you guys at 6:40 pm PT sharp!
