Previewing Dodgers’ upcoming series against Padres and Diamondbacks

The Los Angeles Dodgers made quick work of their last week’s worth of games after taking both in Minnesota, sweeping the Reds, and taking two out of three against the Atlanta Braves. Now, looking to the next three series, the division standings will really start to take shape.

The weekend will be occupied by a three-game series in San Diego against the Padres. While San Diego will be without Fernando Tatis Jr., the team is still solid as they’ve received unexpected contributions from the likes of Eric Hosmer, who is batting .378 with an OPS+ of 168 through 14 games. Aside from a well-balanced lineup, the Dodgers will face solid pitching in this weekend series. Here’s how it’ll shake out:

• Friday: Julio Urías vs Nick Martinez
• Saturday: TDB vs Yu Darvish
• Sunday: Clayton Kershaw vs Sean Manaea

There’s no denying this rivalry will be off to a great start for the 2022 season … but it’s important to note both Andrew Heaney and Blake Treinen are on the injured list for the Dodgers and will be out through next week.

After the weekend series in San Diego, the Dodgers immediately go to Arizona to face the Diamondbacks for a three-game set. The Diamondbacks have, what some would call, an incomplete roster with a lot of flaws. Ketel Marte is their best player and he hasn’t even been able to reach the Mendoza Line in the batter’s box … but at least they have Seth Beer, right? The Dodgers will see pitchers Merrill Kelly, Zack Davies, and Zac Gallen in that respective order for the series. In other words, they will see two really solid pitchers and Zack Davies. Anything other than a sweep in this series for the Dodgers would be somewhat of a disappointment.

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At the moment, the Dodgers sit at 9-3. A good record that fans couldn’t ask much more for after LA dropped the first series to the Rockies. This upcoming week sets them up to build on their current momentum and potentially give themselves a solid lead atop the NL West.

With the Padres being without their franchise player, the Giants dropping three of their last four, and the Rockies inevitably falling behind in the standings as the season progresses, the Dodgers should build a comfortable division lead because of their superior talent.

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