Dodgers release 28-man roster for NLDS vs Padres

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 23: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on during the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants in the Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 23: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on during the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants in the Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Dodgers are ready for their NLDS matchup with the Padres.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to take on the San Diego Padres in Game 1 of the NLDS on Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas, and it’s going to be a high-tension battle between the NL West rivals.

LA is fresh off a dominant sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Wild Card Series and the Padres, after dropping the first game of their NLWC matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals, won two in a row to advance.

This will be the Dodgers’ eighth straight appearance in the Division Series, and here’s who manager Dave Roberts will be rolling with this week:

Not a single surprise on this roster reveal. This is the best roster in the National League and arguably the best in baseball, with their only competition being the New York Yankees. The only worry here is Walker Buehler’s blister issues, which have significantly limited him in 2020, including his four-inning outing in NLWC Game 1.

Good thing the bullpen is stacked and can make up for any shortcoming by one of the starters.

Also, Clayton Kershaw is out for blood this year. He dominated the regular season with a 2.16 ERA in 10 starts and made quick work of the Brew Crew in the Game 2 sweep, logging eight shutout innings and 13 strikeouts.

In the first-ever matchup between these two teams in postseason, this adds to the incredibly entertaining slate. We have all division rivals going at it for the five-game sets, and Dodgers-Padres could very well be the most captivating one, especially after San Diego’s rise in 2020.

LA took the regular season series by winning six of 10 and largely managed to keep the Pads’ high-powered offense at bay, and hopefully the Dodgers’ playoff experience will continue that trend on the big stage, where San Diego hasn’t been since 2006.