Dave Roberts Credits Padres For Becoming Playoff Contender

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres just faced each other for the final time during the regular season up against a backdrop of both teams having October on their minds.

The Dodgers are heading back to the playoffs for the 14th consecutive season and clinched the National League West title for a fifth year in a row. That since has been followed by securing a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Padres punched their ticket for the playoffs by defeating the Dodgers on Thursday night. The Padres are in the postseason for a franchise-record third consecutive season, and their fifth appearance in the last seven years.

“Small market, huh?” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts jokingly asked. “I think they’ve certainly accrued a lot of talent, the fanbase is very supportive, Petco is one of the best places to play a ballgame and take in a baseball game.

“I think (Craig) Stammen is great and I like what they’ve done. I think they’ve done some good things. A.J. (Preller) has done a great job. They’re always a thorn in our side and great competition.”

The Padres are often championed for their willingness to put a competitive product on the field each season despite playing in a small market. Their resurgence began under former owner Peter Seidler and is now continuing with José E. Feliciano at the helm.

The Padres haven’t been able to get over the hump to this point, but they hope that changes this year.

Under the current NL postseason bracket, San Diego would have to get past the Wild Card Series and Division Series for a potential showdown with the Dodgers in the Championship Series. The teams have met three times in MLB postseason history — all since 2020 — with L.A. winning two of those series.

Dave Roberts: Padres ‘good’ test for Dodgers

Prior to their three-game series beginning at Dodger Stadium, Roberts said the Padres being in town would present a good tuneup for the Dodgers before they head into the postseason.

“I think it’s going to be a good kind of primer,” Roberts said. “They’re a very talented team, they’re playing as good as anyone in all of baseball. I’m looking forward to playing those guys and just kind of ramping it up a little bit more for our guys.”