The San Diego Padres are on the verge of eliminating the Los Angeles Dodgers from the National League Division Series (NLDS) after securing a 6-5 win in Game 3 at Petco Park. With one more win, the Padres would defeat their longtime rivals for the second time in three years and advance to the National League Championship Series (NLCS). After years of being overshadowed by the Dodgers, the Padres are just one step away from their redemption.
The Dodgers, however, aren’t backing down. They have their eyes set on forcing the series back to Los Angeles for a Game 5. But to do so, they’ll need to shake off two disappointing losses and find a way to stay alive in Game 4 on Wednesday.
Padres Hold Off Dodgers in Game 3 Thriller
The Padres didn’t make it easy for themselves in Game 3, but they did what needed to be done. With Petco Park buzzing with anticipation, the home team edged out a close victory, thanks to timely hits and a resilient bullpen performance. San Diego took a commanding 6-5 lead and held off the Dodgers in the late innings to secure the win.
- Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. delivered key hits, helping the Padres get the offensive edge.
- The Padres bullpen, which has been strong throughout the series, held the Dodgers scoreless for the final two innings.
- Dodgers’ ace Ryan Brasier, filling in for an injured starter, struggled in his brief appearance, giving the Padres an early opportunity to capitalize.
“We know how important this is,” said Padres manager Mike Shildt. “But nothing matters until we get that third win.”
Dodgers Face Elimination Yet Again
The Dodgers find themselves in a familiar, uncomfortable position—on the brink of another early postseason exit. After spending over $1 billion in contracts during the offseason, expectations for the team were sky-high. Yet, they’re now facing elimination in the NLDS for the third consecutive year.
Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers’ All-Star first baseman, was a late scratch for Game 4, which only added to their woes. Without Freeman in the lineup, and with Miguel Rojas still nursing an injury, the Dodgers will need their stars, Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani, to carry the offensive load.
Dodgers fans, of course, aren’t giving up hope just yet. “We know we can come back from this,” said Rojas. “We’ve been doing it all year.”
Key Players to Watch in Game 4
As Game 4 approaches, all eyes are on the pitchers. The Padres will send Dylan Cease to the mound on short rest. Cease, who had a rough outing in Game 1, allowing five runs over 3 1/3 innings, will be looking for redemption.
Cease has been a workhorse for the Padres this season, posting a 14-11 record with a 3.47 ERA. Though pitching on short rest is never ideal, Cease is determined to treat the game like any other start. “I feel good,” he said after Game 3.
For the Dodgers, it’s going to be a bullpen game starting with the veteran Ryan Brasier, who has postseason experience but is far from a traditional starter. Brasier’s ability to contain the Padres in the early innings will be crucial if the Dodgers want to extend their season.
Game 4 Lineups: Dodgers Scramble Without Freeman
With Freddie Freeman out of the lineup, the Dodgers have made some key adjustments. Tommy Edman will start at shortstop, while Max Muncy moves to first base, and Chris Taylor takes over in center field. It’s a reshuffled lineup for a do-or-die game, and the Dodgers are hoping these changes will spark their offense.
Here’s the Dodgers’ lineup for Game 4:
- Shohei Ohtani, DH
- Mookie Betts, RF
- Teoscar Hernández, LF
- Max Muncy, 1B
- Will Smith, C
- Tommy Edman, SS
- Gavin Lux, 2B
- Kiké Hernández, 3B
- Chris Taylor, CF
The Padres will be looking to close things out with another strong performance from their core players, while the Dodgers will be fighting to extend their season.