Padres: The National League Division Series is shaping into a thrilling battle

Padres: Diving into the numbers

The Padres finished their truncated season 37-23, six games behind the Dodgers, and their major league-best 43-17 finish. Strangely enough, as the Dodgers finished first across baseball with a +136 run differential, it was the Padres holding firm in the number two spot with a +84 run differential.

Overall the Dodgers won the season series 6-4. The first meeting between the two teams matched Paddack against Buehler as Paddack out-pitched Buehler in a 5-4 Padres victory. A week later, one of the Padres four victories over the Dodgers was carried by the bullpen as it combined eight shutout innings in a 2-1 win.

Game one could be a grind for the Padres offense as they are just a combined 9-for-50 (.173) against Buehler. Eric Hosmer is 0-for-13, which may be cause for the Padres to turn to Mitch Moreland. However, it is unlikely. Hopefully, the Padres will be in for a fight and keep the magic that is ‘Slam Diego’ alive.