CINCINNATI -- The Padres are undoubtedly pleased with the progress they've made over the past two months. Following their woeful 15-30 start, they've been above .500 since.
But they're also well aware that there's another important hurdle left to clear. Most of that recent success has come while they've avoided the teams who have caused them -- and the rest of the league -- the most trouble.
That changes this weekend, when the Padres head to Los Angeles for a three-game set with the rival Dodgers. Twenty-seven of their final 48 contests are against the Dodgers, Nationals, D-backs and Rockies -- record-wise, the four best teams in the National League.