The NL West is heating up like a midsummer fastball. The usually dominant Los Angeles Dodgers are getting a real push from the San Diego Padres.
What used to feel like a one-sided division now looks like an actual race. Every remaining game matters more than ever.
The Dodgers are still favored, but the Padres aren’t backing down. This rivalry might just be the most compelling storyline of the 2024 MLB season.
Dodgers’ Decades-Long NL West Dominance
The Los Angeles Dodgers have ruled the National League West for decades. Since 1969, they’ve snagged 22 division titles—11 of them in the last 12 seasons.
People just expect to see them on top come October. That reputation doesn’t come easy.
They’re also the reigning World Series champions after grabbing their eighth title in 2024. That kind of pedigree makes them tough to rattle, especially when the pressure’s on.
The 2024 Season Challenge
This season, though, the Dodgers have shown some cracks. They stumbled to a 5-7 start in August and briefly lost first place.
The Padres jumped ahead by a game after the Angels swept L.A. For a minute there, it seemed like the balance of power might finally shift.
Padres Make Their Case
The San Diego Padres have usually lived in the Dodgers’ shadow. They’ve only won five division titles, and none since 2006.
This year, though, they’re making noise. Their deep roster and key playmakers have kept them within striking distance of L.A.
Last week, the Padres even moved into first place for a bit. That was a statement—they’re not just here to hang around anymore.
But then the Dodgers punched back, sweeping the Padres in three games and pushing them two games behind in the standings.
Betting Odds Reflect the Race
As of August 18, oddsmakers still have the Dodgers in control. DraftKings lists the odds:
- Dodgers: -450 (heavy favorites)
- Padres: +310 (clear challengers)
- Giants: +50000 (distant longshots)
Those numbers show the Dodgers’ dominance, but they also say the Padres aren’t just a longshot anymore. They’re right there in the mix.
Key Series Looming
The rest of the schedule is a big reason this division feels so alive. The Dodgers and Padres face off three more times this weekend, and those games could flip everything.
If San Diego manages to win the series, they might erase the Dodgers’ lead and grab the momentum heading into September.
What’s at Stake
The outcome could define the 2024 NL West. For the Dodgers, it’s a chance to put their stamp on the division again and chase another title run.
For the Padres, it’s about finally breaking through after nearly twenty years and maybe, just maybe, ending the Dodgers’ reign.
Final Thoughts
The NL West finally feels unpredictable again. After years of the same old story, the 2024 season has thrown baseball fans a real pennant race to chew on.
The Dodgers have the edge—sure, experience, history, all those stars—but the Padres aren’t backing down. Every at-bat this weekend could flip the script on the whole division.
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Here is the source article for this story: 2025 NL West Odds: Can Padres Stop Dodgers’ Streak?
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