Ex-Padres outfielder gives San Diego edge over Dodgers in NL West race

The National League West looks to be a two-horse race, but the San Diego Padres might have one key advantage over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

According to former Padres center fielder Cameron Maybin, San Diego’s superior bullpen should enable the Padres to overcome the defending champions in the divisional standings before season’s end. 

Cameron Maybin explains why San Diego has edge over Dodgers

“When you talk about being able to shorten the game and make it a five-inning game, the Padres have just that,” Maybin said this week during an episode of the “Foul Territory” podcast. “I mean, if somebody gets in trouble … they can go to another guy. They don't have to wish and hope that …  (that) guy figures it out a batter or two from now.”

“I love the pieces that they added,” Maybin continued. “Defensively, I think they're better. I think the starting rotation is better right now … I’m leaning towards the Padres (over the Dodgers) on both ends for sure.”

San Diego entered Friday just two games back of the Dodgers in the division. The Padres have gone 12-7 since the All-Star break and have won eight of their last 10. Los Angeles, meanwhile, has gone 8-10 since the break and hasn’t been able to string together more than two consecutive wins thus far in the second half.

Padres President of Baseball Operations AJ Preller put the entire league on notice at the deadline by acquiring All-Star closer Mason Miller and starting pitcher JP Sears from the Athletics for a four-player package headlined by baseball’s No. 3 overall prospect, Leo De Vries.

While the Miller-De Vries deal was by far Preller’s biggest splash, he also made other key moves, trading for Ryan O’Hearn, Ramon Laureano, and Freddy Fermin. 

In sum, Preller and the Padres’ front office fully embraced a win-now mindset. Not only did Preller address San Diego’s weaknesses, but he also bolstered an area that was already a strength — the bullpen. With Miller now added to the mix, the Padres ‘pen looks like the best in MLB, if it wasn’t already. That’s exactly what was on Maybin’s mind as he proclaimed the Padres a better team than the defending champs. 

Whereas the Dodgers have looked like a group in 2025 that has struggled to maintain its magic from last season (due to injuries and general championship fatigue), the Padres — who were eliminated by Los Angeles early in the 2024 postseason — may have all of the competitive momentum. Preller falls right in line with that energy, as he couldn’t have been much more aggressive at the deadline.

Maybin knows a thing or two about title-winning baseball, having won a World Series in 2017 as a member of the Houston Astros. A former No. 10 overall pick by the Detroit Tigers in the 2025 MLB draft, Maybin played for 10 different clubs throughout a 15-year career, but he played the most games (393) with the San Diego Padres (2011-2014).

Maybin presents a compelling argument as to why San Diego is in a splendid position to win its first World Series in franchise history. 

Meanwhile, Miller, who is getting used to his new uniform, promises to be a pivotal part of the Padres’ stretch run.

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