Shohei Ohtani's 2-way brilliance returns, ace closer Mason Miller shows vulnerability and more: 5 takeaways from Dodgers-Padres series
Ever since the San Diego Padres launched themselves out of irrelevance at the beginning of the decade to become one of the main characters in the National League, their rivalry with the Los Angeles Dodgers has been one of the most intriguing storylines in all of MLB. This week at Petco Park, the two Southern California foes clashed for the first time in 2026, renewing the rivalry with a compelling three-game set that offered reasons for optimism on both sides. It was the first of four scheduled regular-season series between the two clubs, but with how well both teams have been playing, perhaps we’re headed for another eventual matchup in October as well, which would sustain an even-year trend after they met in the NLDS in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
This week’s games tilted slightly in Los Angeles’ favor. The Padres snagged the series opener with a narrow 1-0 win , with Michael King outdueling Yoshinobu Yamamoto while Miguel Andujar drove in the game’s only run with a solo homer in the first inning. The Dodgers responded Tuesday with a one-run victory of their own, a 5-4 triumph featuring a two-homer game from Freddie Freeman.
In the series finale Wednesday, Shohei Ohtani smashed a leadoff home run to give himself instant run support before twirling five scoreless innings, the headlining act in a comfortable 4-0 Dodgers victory that clinched the series and re-established a 1. 5-game lead atop the NL West for Los Angeles. The Padres and Dodgers next meet for three games at Dodger Stadium from June 26-28, followed shortly thereafter by a four-game series back in San Diego from July 2-5.
Should these teams remain neck-and-neck in the standings all season long, their final series down the stretch – in L. A. from September 22-24 – would be excellent theater.
This week was a nice appetizer, but there’s plenty of baseball ahead. For now, here are five major takeaways from the first round of Dodgers vs. Padres in 2026: Shohei Ohtani resumes his 2-way duties in full Before Wednesday, Ohtani had spent four of his previous five starts on the mound as a pitcher only, handing off his usual DH duties to his teammates.
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