Padres' favorable schedule could be key to overtaking Dodgers in NL West

The Padres head into the week on a positive note, winning their road series against the hapless Colorado Rockies. With the Dodgers dropping two of three to the Baltimore Orioles on the road, San Diego now sits only a single game below L.A. in the NL West standings.

As we enter the final stretch of the season, each team has six series left to play, and it is clear that the Padres have an easier schedule down the line. The first seven days include a home stand against the Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies, and then they head out on their final road trip out east to face the New York Mets and Chicago White Sox.

Padres' September schedule is much easier than the Dodgers'

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, the schedule is not as much of a cakewalk. They host the Rockies to start the week before traveling up to the Bay Area to take on the red-hot San Francisco Giants. They then return home to face the NL East–leading Phillies before hosting the same Giants team for four games. Aside from the Rockies, each series is very competitive, and this is the perfect time for the Padres to take the lead in the division.

Sweeping opponents isn’t even necessary to jump the Dodgers; just taking two out of three in each series is all you really need. However, the series against the Rockies and White Sox are absolutely sweepable. These few games should definitely help the Friars make up ground.

If the Padres can win the NL West, it will be a very different outlook for them. They would likely host the Mets at home instead of having to travel all the way to Chicago to face the Cubs. We all know what Petco Park looks like in October, and if the Padres can get those home playoff games, it is almost a guarantee that they will advance to the NLDS. But they need to take care of business first in the final three weeks of the season. We look forward to seeing how the tight race pans out down the final stretch.

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