When the Dodgers went on their winter spending spree, the addition of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Teoscar Hernandez in a matter of weeks, the NL West crown felt like a given. The roster looked too deep, talented, and well-constructed for anyone in the division to mount a serious challenge. But baseball isn’t played on paper. As the first month of the season has shown, the path to the top might not be as clear-cut as it once seemed.
Lurking just behind the juggernaut in blue are the Padres. A team that knows expectations, pressure, and disappointment all too well. Despite a turbulent offseason and lingering questions about roster depth, they have quietly retooled and are playing with an edge. If anyone is going to test the Dodgers’ grip on the division, it might be this group!
“I ultimately think that the Dodgers will win the division, but it might not be as cut-and-dried as many assumed it would be after their big offseason.” MLB insider Chen has a gut feeling that the Padres will pose more threats to the Dodgers going ahead this season.
The Padres have enough firepower to keep it interesting. Especially if their rotation holds up and key hitters like Fernando Tatis Jr. (.345) and Xander Bogaerts (.243) stay healthy and productive. And compared to that, the Dodgers’ starting pitching has question marks after the top end. Why? Because of rising health concerns, injury woes, and, of course, Walker Buehler walking away. Well, Buehler had nothing to boast of from last year’s regular season. But postseason? 3.60 ERA and 13 SOs, ahh that’s clutch performance, the Dodgers is missing this time. This year for the Red Sox, he got 29 SOs with a 4-1 record. Nothing for the Dodgers!
Now, with A.J. Preller’s job potentially on the line and a top-heavy roster, San Diego may be extra aggressive at the deadline. If the Padres can split or edge out the season series, they could keep it close enough to apply pressure late.
For starters, the top half of this Padres roster can go toe-to-toe with any team in baseball. San Diego features high-impact veteran hitters in Manny Machado (.279) and Luis Arraez (.298). They also got a rotation with serious strikeout stuff in Dylan Cease (36 SO), Michael King (46 SO), and Nick Pivetta (39 SO). On the back end, they’re armed with one of the deepest bullpens in the league. Remember closer Robert Suarez?
When that core is healthy and locked in, the Padres are a nightmare for the Dodgers to match up with. Their offense grinds out at-bats and produces runs in bunches. Moreover, their pitching staff—starters and relievers alike—can smother even the most potent lineups. Simply put, this is a team that can’t be taken lightly.
The Dodgers are on a rocky road ahead
Yes, the Dodgers last year hoisted the World Series trophy after weathering a storm of injuries on the mound. However, it’s important to remember that most of those hits didn’t come until deep into the season. Yamamoto didn’t land on the IL until mid-June. Tyler Glasnow was dominant until his elbow flared up in August. Gavin Stone gave them 25 quality starts before a shoulder issue ended his year in September.
This season? The Dodgers’ injuries have arrived much earlier—and with real weight. We’re barely a month in, and already key arms are dropping.
Glasnow and big-ticket free-agent addition Blake Snell are both dealing with shoulder trouble. This casts an immediate shadow over what was supposed to be a historic rotation. On paper, the idea of pairing Snell, Glasnow, Yamamoto, and rookie sensation Roki Sasaki—eventually joined by Shohei Ohtani and a returning Clayton Kershaw—felt unfair. In reality, it’s starting to feel more like a dream than a plan.
With Snell and Glasnow in limbo and Ohtani not expected soon, the pressure falls hard on Sasaki (20 SO) and Yamamoto (43 SO). Both have electric arms, but only Yamamoto has shown he can carry a full MLB workload. Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin, fresh off major surgeries, face similar questions. And suddenly, Kershaw’s rehab—once viewed as a luxury—feels like a necessity.
The Dodgers’ depth will be tested, too, with prospects like Bobby Miller, Justin Wrobleski, and Landon Knack potentially playing pivotal roles far earlier than expected.
With that being said, the Dodgers’ injury-ridden pitching lineup is offering another opportunity for the Padres to spring a surprise this year. Do you think it’s possible?
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