The Dodgers and Padres face off at Dodger Stadium South tonight for the first match up of the 2023 season. A lot has changed since these two clubs faced off last October in the NLDS. The Dodgers lost some key pieces like All-Stars Trea Turner, Justin Turner, and Cody Bellinger. The Padres meanwhile, went out and signed former All-Stars like Xander Bogaerts, Michael Wacha, Nelson Cruz, and perhaps most importantly, have Fernando Tatis Jr back after missing the 2022 season due to injury and later suspension.
San Diego also spent big to ensure that it won’t be losing talent any time soon, inking Manny Machado and Yu Darvish to long-term extensions keeping them Friars for the rest of their careers.