Six weeks ago, the San Diego Padres looked like long shots in the National League West. They sat at 46-40 with less than a one percent chance to overtake the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers.
But baseball seasons can turn on a dime. Since then, the Padres have staged one of the most dramatic midseason surges in recent memory.
Stellar bullpen work and impactful trade deadline moves have made all the difference. Veteran shake-ups and key stars catching fire have flipped the NL West script — and now San Diego holds a one-game division lead, with momentum squarely in their corner.
From Long Shots to Division Leaders
Just six weeks ago, the Dodgers seemed untouchable, cruising at 24 games over .500. Meanwhile, the Padres were fighting just to stay on the Wild Card radar.
Now, the roles have practically reversed. San Diego has rattled off a 23-12 run, while Los Angeles has stumbled to a 12-21 skid.
The Bullpen’s Dominance
If there’s one area that’s fueled the Padres’ turnaround, it’s the bullpen. Jeremiah Estrada owns an eye-popping 0.51 ERA since July 3, and rookie David Morgan has posted a 1.20 ERA.
Over the past six weeks, San Diego’s bullpen has been the best in baseball. They still lead the majors season-wide with a 2.97 ERA, which is honestly wild to see.
The Padres’ deep, rested bullpen stands in sharp contrast to the Dodgers’ overworked relief staff. Los Angeles ranks 20th in MLB with a 4.22 ERA.
The Dodgers’ arms have been running on fumes since October. That’s opened the door for opponents late in games — you can almost feel the tension every time they go to the pen.
Impact of Trade Deadline Moves
The Padres’ front office went aggressive at the July deadline. They added three players who’ve made an immediate impact:
- Ramón Laureano – a defensive anchor in the outfield with timely hitting.
- Ryan O’Hearn – a steady offensive presence who lengthens the lineup.
- Freddy Fermin – contributing with clutch at-bats and versatile catching depth.
Since these additions, the Padres’ offense has found a new gear. They’re now sixth in MLB in runs scored for the current month.
This surge also comes from the decision to part ways with underperforming veterans Yuli Gurriel, Jason Heyward, and MartÃn Maldonado. The versatile Gavin Sheets has stepped into a valuable bench role, giving the team depth and balance.
Cease and Bogaerts Leading the Charge
Dylan Cease, once rumored to be trade bait, has blossomed since focusing more on his knuckle-curve. He’s put together two dominant starts right after the deadline.
He’s shaping up to be a pivotal arm in San Diego’s postseason push. It’s the kind of turnaround you hope for but rarely see.
Offensively, Xander Bogaerts has undergone a remarkable transformation. On June 19, he was viewed as a liability, but since then he’s batting .326 with a .908 OPS over the past eight weeks.
Getting that kind of production from a star shortstop can totally change a lineup. Padres fans are seeing it firsthand, and honestly, it’s been fun to watch.
Dodgers Struggling for Answers
On the other side of the rivalry, the Dodgers’ midseason strategy hasn’t moved the needle much. Their trade deadline brought in just Alex Call and reliever Brock Stewart.
Stewart landed on the injured list almost immediately. Without big roster reinforcements and with a sputtering bullpen, Los Angeles is in a rare spot — they’re chasing their rivals instead of leading the division.
A Potential Power Shift in the NL West
The Padres’ aggressiveness says it all—they’re all-in for October. With several Dodgers veterans getting up there in years and some big free agents on the horizon, L.A.’s grip on the NL West might be slipping.
San Diego hasn’t wasted their chance. They’ve shown resilience and adaptability when it counted, and honestly, it’s refreshing to see a team actually go for it.
If the Padres keep playing like this down the stretch, maybe we’re finally seeing a changing of the guard in the NL West. That’s been brewing for a while, hasn’t it?
People are already looking ahead to those head-to-head matchups. The division crown and playoff spots could hang in the balance.
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Here is the source article for this story: By the numbers: How the Padres overtook the Dodgers in the race for the NL West
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