Padres RHP Believes San Diego is NL West Favorite Over Dodgers

He also wants to go out there and prove it.

It is strikingly clear that when the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers hit the field for their first series of 2023 on Friday, their teams will look far different than last year in the NL Division Series.

When they met up in the postseason in 2022 after some late-season heroics from the Friars, LA was expected to make easy work of them. Sure, Manny Machado had showcased some MVP-like performances all year long and Juan Soto had just been acquired but the Dodgers were looking legit.

They had broken a franchise record with their 111 wins and with Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts leading the way along with a speedy Trea Turner, was there anybody that could stop them? Yes, there actually was.

If you start watching Game 4 of the NLDS between the LA Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres at exactly 9:28 and 40 seconds tonight, you will start the new year with Jake Cronenworth eliminating the 111 win Dodgers from the Playoffs.

pic.twitter.com/iMV4SAaex4

— Devine Sports Gospel (@DevineGospel) December 31, 2022

Since then, a lot has changed and it all starts with the rosters on both sides. Both clubhouses lost and welcomed some new players but the biggest difference has been the payroll.

The Friars opted to give Manny Machado, Yu Darvish, Xander Bogaerts, and Jake Cronenworth multi-million dollar deals to remain with the franchise for years to come. On the other end, LA refused to even give Trea Turner a $300 million contract and have instead looked to their young guys to play a big role.

"We love you here... and you're going to continue to bring joy and excitement to our city and fan base for a long, long time."

Peter Seidler's opening remarks on Manny's contract extension@Padres pic.twitter.com/0riwViZzb5

— Bally Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) February 28, 2023

Joe Musgrove, who recently got moved to pitch on Sunday against the Dodgers instead of Friday, agreed with comments earlier in the year from LA's manager Dave Roberts about how San Diego is the favorite to take the division.

"I think he's right," Musgrove said. "I think we are the favorites. But all that stuff is talk, and it's all [on] paper. Nothing that's said or that's expected is just going to actually happen out there. We've got to go out and make this thing happen. ... Talk's all pretty cheap until you get out there and start playing."

(Via MLB.com)

But it's also important to note that 2023 is a season like none other. Three huge rule changes have been implemented into the MLB with the new pitch clock, larger bases, and shift ban.

it is clear that both the Padres and Dodgers have had to adjust in the first month of the new season but they are both finally finding their stride. LA currently holds a 19-13 record with San Diego not too far behind at 17-15.

These games cannot come soon enough.