MLB announces NLDS schedule for Padres vs Dodgers playoff rematch

The San Diego Padres are going back to the National League Division Series. The Friars secured a date with their division rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers, after ending the Atlanta Braves playoff run with a 5-4 victory on Wednesday night in front of a packed house at Petco Park.

Catcher Kyle Higashioka got the party started with a solo home run during the bottom of the second inning to tie that game at 1-1, and then the floodgates opened. A two-run double off the bat of Manny Machado and bases-clearing triple from rookie Jackson Merrill put the Friars up 5-1. Atlanta staged a comeback, but fell short in the end. San Diego advanced with the 5-4 win.

MLB announces NLDS schedule for Padres vs Dodgers playoff rematch

Now it's off to Chavez Ravine for a playoff rematch with the LA Dodgers. San Diego trounced Los Angeles during the NLDS just two years ago and will be looking to do the same this year. But the Dodgers added some star power with the additions of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto during the offseason. This is not the same Dodgers team that the Padres faced in 2022.

But this isn't the same San Diego squad either. Though Juan Soto is no longer on the Padres roster, the aforementioned Merrill has energized this year's ball club. Throw in the additions of Michael King and Dylan Cease to the Padres starting rotation, and this will be must-see TV for anyone with a pulse.

*if necessary

Major League Baseball has released the schedule for the upcoming NLDS that begins Saturday night in Los Angeles. Cease is scheduled to get the ball for the Padres in Game 1 and he'll be opposed by the Dodgers' Jack Flahery. Padres manager Mike Shildt has yet to name a starter for Game 2 of the NLDS, but it will likely be either King or Yu Darvish.

Get your popcorn ready, San Diego. As Machado said, this was the matchup that everyone wanted to see. It's time to find out who rules the NL West as one of the Padres or the Dodgers will punch their ticket to the NLCS by the end of next week.

More San Diego Padres News and Rumors