Biggest reason why Padres will top Dodgers in NL West revealed

San Diego made a big move at the MLB trade deadline to strengthen its bullpen, getting Mason Miller from the Athletics. In his first five games with the Padres, the 26-year-old right-hander has struck out 12 of the 20 batters he has faced, averaging a preposterous 20.3 strikeouts per nine innings.

Three of those appearances have also resulted in holds as Miller has entered the game in the seventh or eighth inning ahead of closer Robert Suarez. 

Suarez leads all relievers with 33 saves this season and has been especially dominant since the All-Star break, posting a 1.86 ERA over 9.2 innings.

That has continued what has been an incredibly strong season overall for the Padres bullpen. Entering Tuesday's play, the Padres' 3.02 cumulative ERA from their relievers is the best of any MLB team.

Now, however, comes one of the biggest tests of Bowden's theory that San Diego's bullpen can be a difference-maker in the division.

With the Dodgers holding a 1.0-game lead over the Padres in the division heading into Tuesday's play, many are already looking ahead to the next two weekends as games that will decide which team could earn not only the NL West title but also a potential first-round postseason bye.

On Friday, the Padres visit Chavez Ravine for three games. On the following Friday (Aug. 22), the Dodgers invade Petco Park for a three-game set.

Those six games are the last regular-season matchups between the two division titans and represent a chance for the Padres to avenge earlier losses to the Dodgers, who hold a 5-2 edge over San Diego in their previous encounters this season.