Petco Park hosts baseball's best rivalry in a weekend clash between San Diego and L.A. with the division hanging in the balance. Here's what to expect from the Gaslamp this weekend:
The Padres (72-56, 2nd in NL West) took three of four games from Bob Melvin and the San Francisco Giants with an 8-4 victory on Wednesday afternoon. The offense stayed hot, as Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts led the way during a six-run fifth inning attack on future Cooperstown inductee Justin Verlander. Right-hander Dylan Cease earned the win after completing five innings with seven strikeouts. He improved to 6-11 on the campaign despite giving up four earned runs in the outing.
Run it up. pic.twitter.com/n2spnntaxN
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 21, 2025
The Dodgers (73-55, 1st in NL West) split a four-game set with the lowly Colorado Rockies with a 9-5 win at Coors Field. Freddie Freeman put L.A. on the board early with a two-run blast in the first inning, which set the tone for the rest of the contest. Rockies starter Chase Dolander would go on to give up seven earned runs through just 3 2/3 innings of work, resulting to be too much for the Colorado offense to overcome. Clayton Kershaw continued his resurgent season on the mound, as the 37 year-old notched his 220th career victory after a near six inning performance.
Freddie! Freddie! Freddie! pic.twitter.com/qfCl2AHIar
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 21, 2025
The two NL West rivals met last weekend at Chavez Ravine in a series that fell heavily in favor of Los Angeles. The Friars left L.A. two games back of the division after suffering a three-game sweep. For those thinking the resounding defeat would put a dent in the Padres' division odds were proven otherwise. San Diego enters this weekend's series just one game behind the division lead after the Dodgers failed to capitalize on yet another sub .500 club in the Rockies.
Pitching matchups
Friday: Dodgers LHP Blake Snell (3-1, 1.80 ERA) vs. Padres RHP Yu Darvish (2-3, 5.97 ERA) 6:40 p.m. PT
The Former Friar, Blake Snell takes the ball in the opener for L.A. The two-time Cy Young winner tossed six innings and struck out three against his former club last Saturday. Second-half Snell has been proven to be a thing, so look for the 32 year-old to keep rolling. For the Padres sake, they might want to get to him early this time.
The Dodgers ambushed Yu Darvish on Sunday at Chavez Ravine. The righty gave up a total of four runs in the first inning, including homers to Freddie Freeman and Andy Pages. He went four innings and struck out five. He looks to bounce back in his ninth start this season.
Saturday: Dodgers RHP Tyler Glasnow (1-1, 3.12 ERA) vs. Padres LHP Nestor Cortes (1-2, 5.87 ERA) 5:40 p.m. PT
Tyler Glasnow's last start came against the Padres last weekend in the Sunday finale. He threw five innings, giving up two runs on six hits and striking out eight Friars. He'll make his 13th start of the year when he toes the slab during this weekend's set.
Nestor Cortes endured a blow-up first inning against the Giants on Monday night. The lefty surrendered three homers in the contest's first frame, resulting in four total runs. Despite taking a loss, he was able to settle down after a tough first, finishing his night with five strikeouts while going 5 2/3 innings.
Sunday: Dodgers RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (10-8, 2.90 ERA) vs. Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (13-4, 2.81 ERA) 1:10 p.m. PT
Yamamoto will start the series finale for the Dodgers. He took a no-decision against the Rockies after a seven inning effort, allowing three runs while collecting six punch outs. He took a loss against the Padres on June 19 after allowing three runs through 6 1/3 innings.
Nick Pivetta will counter Yamamoto on the mound. The right-hander played stopper in his most recent outing against the Giants, helping the Friars snap a four-game skid. He struck out 10 hitters while only allowing a run across six solid frames. He's 8-1 with a 2.35 ERA and 93 strikeouts this season at home.
Early takeaways
The Padres lineup will have to look sharper against L.A.'s starters this series. Manager Mike Shildt announced that center fielder Jackson Merrill is dealing with bone bruising and a sprain in his left ankle, which he injured last weekend against the Dodgers. He's considered day-to-day with no announcement of an IL stint as of Friday morning. Ryan O'Hearn is slashing .353/.450/.765 with two homers and six RBIs over his last seven games, while Ramón Laureano and Gavin Sheets have combined for 14 extra-base hits, including six homers since the beginning of August.
The Dodgers will be without third baseman Max Muncy for an extended period of time, as the slugger landed on the IL last week due to an oblique strain. They are however, receiving major bullpen reinforcements this weekend, as they are set to activate both ex-Padres Kirby Yates and Tanner Scott at some point this weekend against San Diego.