The Los Angeles Dodgers are in the National League Division Series for an eighth consecutive season, though face the San Diego Padres in the postseason for the first time.
The Padres are a roughly one year ahead of expectations as they enjoyed a successful season and competed with the Dodgers in the National League West. They were on the cusp of potentially stealing the division title until losing two of three to the Dodgers in September.
Both teams face questions ahead of the NLDS beginning at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, though for the Dodgers that’s more centered around discretionary decisions with their postseason roster and starting rotation for the best-of-five series.