The Los Angeles Dodgers entered Friday with a one-game lead over the San Francisco Giants in the National League West standings. The San Diego Padres weren’t far behind both teams, with only two games separating them from the top spot.

San Diego Padres star Xander Bogaerts praised the Los Angeles Dodgers and manager Dave Roberts for their bullpen strategy during their series win.

Wearing the No. 51 popularized in San Diego by Padres Hall of Fame reliever Trevor Hoffman, Alpine product Alex Vesia closed out L.A.’s victory with three strikeouts. The save was the left-hander’s 10th of his career and first in San Diego. After the final whiff, the Steele Canyon High School alum screamed several times.

Los Angeles Dodgers fan favorite utility man Kiké Hernández claimed that the San Diego Padres were the better team during the 2024 NLDS. The Padres were leadin