The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers exited Petco Park in lockstep and bid the other farewell for the rest of the season.
Well, at least until October.
The heated National League West rivals staged six games the past two weekends and played each other to a virtual standstill, with the Dodgers staving off a sweep Aug. 24 to pull even with San Diego in the teams’ final regular season meeting.
Dodgers 74-57. Padres 74-57. And 31 games for either club to find separation.
After a Dodgers sweep in L.A., it was the Padres’ turn to make gains, as they took two of three at Petco to briefly pull ahead in the division – and rise up to No. 6 in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings.
The Dodgers have the slightest edge, winning nine of 13 games this year to win the season series and thus a tiebreaker should the teams be deadlocked after 162 games. In a race where even the smallest edge might make the difference, the Padres have seven games remaining against the historically bad Colorado Rockies; the Dodgers have three.
A look at our updated rankings:
1. Milwaukee Brewers (-)
Mildly shaky week, as Trevor Megill blows two saves, but winning two of five at Wrigley solidifies division edge.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (+3)
Jose Alvarado returns from PED suspension with two spotless outings (but remember, he’s ineligible for postseason).
3. Detroit Tigers (-)
Zach McKinstry has already racked up 3.1 WAR, more than double his career high.
4. Toronto Blue Jays (-2)
With .304 average, .819 OPS and big plays afield, Bo Bichette climbing up MVP ballots.
5. Chicago Cubs (+1)
Kyle Tucker responds to four-game siesta with three homers in next three games.
6. San Diego Padres (+1)
Bum ankle sends Jackson Merrill to IL.
7. Los Angeles Dodgers (-3)
Dalton Rushing’s home run avoids sweep at San Diego.
8. Boston Red Sox (+2)
Garrett Crochet reaches 200 strikeouts in 26 starts, and 500 for his career at age 26.
9. Houston Astros (-1)
Craig Kimbrel? Hey, why not.
10. Seattle Mariners (-1)
Cal Raleigh’s next home run will be his 50th. That’s crazy.
11. New York Yankees (-)
Aaron Judge getting cranky about not playing the outfield.
12. New York Mets (-)
Seems about time for Jonah Tong to join Nolan McLean in the kiddie corps of rotation.
13. Cincinnati Reds (-)
Just 1.5 games out of that wild card.
14. Kansas City Royals (+2)
Vinnie Pasquantino closing in on first 30-homer season.
15. Texas Rangers (-)
Jack Leiter’s 10-strikeout game feels like a key moment in his journey.
16. Cleveland Guardians (-2)
A five-game skid – including a sweep at Texas – likely extinguishes unlikely playoff hope.
17. Arizona Diamondbacks (+2)
Too many poor decisions compel club to replace third base coach Shaun Larkin with Tim Bogar.
18. St. Louis Cardinals (-1)
Nathan Church notches first career hit, home run in same game.
19. Tampa Bay Rays (-1)
Carson Williams said he ‘blacked out’ hitting key homer in big league debut.
20. San Francisco Giants (-)
Luis Matos has four consecutive multi-hit games.
21. Los Angeles Angels (-)
Team will get a chance to reunite with mending manager Ron Washington in Texas.
22. Miami Marlins (-)
Jakob Marsee update: A .346/.416/.705 line in 89 plate appearances.
23. Baltimore Orioles (+1)
Samuel Basallo’s $67 million deal is virtually risk-free for the organization.
24. Atlanta Braves (+1)
Michael Harris II’s OPS was .539 on July 10. It’s now .691.
25. Minnesota Twins (-2)
Just about equidistant from last-place White Sox and first-place Tigers.
26. Athletics (-)
They’ll return to Yolo County with top rookie Jacob Wilson in tow – he’s back from hand fracture.
27. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)
Top prospect Bubba Chandler debuts with four-inning save, three strikeouts.
28. Washington Nationals (-)
Mitchell Parker’s 6.01 ERA is second-highest among qualified starters.
29. Chicago White Sox (-)
Colson Montgomery’s stunning debut continues: 12 homers in 31 games, and now a grand slam.
30. Colorado Rockies (-)
Austin Gomber released with 7.49 ERA.
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