Padres Sweep Dodgers in Heart-Pumping 4-1 Thriller!
Injuries and limited roster depth could derail the Friars’ season.
San Diego Padres Manny Machado Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images Unsurprisingly, the Los Angeles Dodgers are favored to cruise to their fifth consecutive National League West title. The majority of preseason win-loss projections select them to be the lone Major League Baseball team to reach 100 wins during the 2026 campaign.
The battle for second place is shaping up to be a tight three-team race between the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks. Each club has the potential to play better than last season’s results, and with a little luck, all could challenge for a postseason berth. The key factor for the Padres remaining in contention is keeping their core players healthy all season.
Preller does what it takes to remain a contender Most of the television analysts believe the Friars will take a step back after a very lackluster offseason and concerns about their starting rotation’s ability to avoid time on the injured list in 2026. However, the Padres have one advantage over their competitors: team President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A. J.
Preller, who has a reputation for doing whatever it takes to improve his team at the trade deadline. He has the knack of quickly recognizing his roster’s weaknesses and striking a deal to fix those holes. Often, the deadline deals set the Friars on a course to the playoffs.