The San Diego Padres vs Los Angeles Dodgers rivalry is taking center stage as the 2026 MLB regular season approaches its final days.
The Padres are visiting the Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium for a three-game National League West series, and the timing could hardly be more important. Los Angeles entered the series with a 96–60 record, while San Diego was 87–69 and riding a five-game winning streak.
For the Dodgers, the series is about securing postseason positioning and a first-round bye. For the Padres, every game is important as they continue their push toward the postseason.
With both teams still having plenty to play for, Padres vs Dodgers is one of the most interesting matchups of the final week of the 2026 regular season.
Padres vs Dodgers 2026 Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Teams | San Diego Padres vs Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Division | National League West |
| Venue | UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium |
| Current Dodgers record | 96–60 |
| Current Padres record | 87–69 |
| Series | Three-game series |
| Sept. 23 game | Padres @ Dodgers |
| Sept. 24 game | Padres @ Dodgers |
| Sept. 23 probable Padres starter | Robbie Ray |
| Sept. 23 probable Dodgers starter | Yoshinobu Yamamoto |
| Sept. 24 probable Padres starter | Nick Pivetta |
| TV | SportsNet LA, Padres.TV, MLB Network for Sept. 24 |
| Postseason importance | Extremely high |
The official MLB probable-pitcher listings currently show the Sept. 24 finale scheduled for 7:10 p.m. PDT at Dodger Stadium, with Nick Pivetta listed for San Diego and the Dodgers’ starter still to be determined.
Padres vs Dodgers Schedule
The current series is being played in Los Angeles.
September 23, 2026
San Diego Padres @ Los Angeles Dodgers
The probable starters are:
- Padres: Robbie Ray
- Dodgers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Ray entered the matchup with a 13–8 record, 3.60 ERA and 162.1 innings pitched.
Yamamoto entered with a 14–8 record, 2.51 ERA and 179 innings pitched.
September 24, 2026
San Diego Padres @ Los Angeles Dodgers
- First pitch: 7:10 p.m. PDT
- Venue: UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium
- Padres probable starter: Nick Pivetta
- Dodgers starter: TBD
- TV: SportsNet LA, Padres.TV and MLB Network
Pivetta’s current listed record is 3–2 with a 3.30 ERA.
The Dodgers have also announced that September 24 will be their regular-season home finale, with a Godzilla Minus Zero Night promotion at the stadium.
Padres vs Dodgers Standings
The two clubs entered the series in very different positions within the NL playoff race.
The Dodgers were 96–60, sitting behind Milwaukee in the National League standings, while the Padres were 87–69 and occupying a postseason position.
Dodgers
Record: 96–60
- Winning percentage: .615
- Last 10 games: 7–3
- Current streak: 4 wins
- Runs scored: 780
- Runs allowed: 587
- Run differential: +193
- Home record: 50–28
Padres
Record: 87–69
- Winning percentage: .558
- Last 10 games: 9–1
- Current streak: 5 wins
- Runs scored: 690
- Runs allowed: 649
- Run differential: +41
- Road record: 38–40
The Padres’ recent form is particularly notable: they entered the series 9–1 over their previous 10 games.
Why This Padres vs Dodgers Series Matters
This isn’t simply another NL West rivalry.
The Dodgers entered the series with a chance to clinch a first-round postseason bye. Their magic number for securing that bye was reported as three entering the series.
That means the Dodgers have a very clear incentive to finish the regular season strongly.
The Padres have a different objective. Their 87–69 record put them in the National League Wild Card picture, meaning every late-season win can have a major effect on their postseason position.
That creates an interesting dynamic:
Dodgers: trying to secure the best possible postseason position.
Padres: trying to strengthen their position in the playoff race.
Padres vs Dodgers Starting Pitchers
Robbie Ray — Padres
Robbie Ray is scheduled to start for San Diego on September 23.
His current numbers:
- 13–8 record
- 3.60 ERA
- 162.1 innings
- 1.33 WHIP
- 179 strikeouts
Ray has the experience to handle a high-pressure game, but the challenge will be dealing with a Dodgers lineup that has produced heavily throughout the season.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto — Dodgers
Yamamoto is scheduled to start for Los Angeles.
His current numbers:
- 14–8 record
- 2.51 ERA
- 179 innings
- 0.87 WHIP
- 2.51 ERA
His WHIP and ERA make him one of the biggest pitching factors in the matchup.
A strong start from Yamamoto could force San Diego’s offense to manufacture runs rather than relying on a high-scoring game.
Nick Pivetta Starts for Padres on September 24
The series finale is currently scheduled to feature Nick Pivetta for San Diego.
Pivetta has a listed 3–2 record and 3.30 ERA heading into the finale.
The Dodgers’ starter for the September 24 game was still listed as TBD in MLB’s probable-pitcher information at the time of writing.
That makes the final matchup particularly important to watch as the Dodgers finalize their pitching plans for the end of the regular season.
Padres vs Dodgers Team Stats
The offensive contrast between the teams is interesting.
According to current matchup data, San Diego was averaging approximately:
- 4.41 runs per game
- .240 batting average
- .720 OPS
- 176 home runs
- 156 stolen bases
Los Angeles was averaging approximately:
- 5.01 runs per game
- .260 batting average
- .760 OPS
- 196 home runs
- 68 stolen bases
The Dodgers therefore entered the matchup with stronger overall offensive production, while San Diego had the advantage in stolen-base production.
Dodgers Offense vs Padres Pitching
The Dodgers’ offense is one of the major storylines of the series.
The team had scored 780 runs entering the current series, compared with 690 for San Diego. Their +193 run differential was also substantially higher than San Diego’s +41.
But the Padres have been playing excellent baseball recently.
They entered the series with a 9–1 record over their previous 10 games, which means the Dodgers cannot simply rely on the Padres’ season-long offensive numbers.
Padres Offense vs Dodgers Pitching
San Diego’s offense has enough firepower to make the Dodgers uncomfortable, especially if the Padres can get runners on base early.
The Padres had scored 690 runs through 156 games and had 176 home runs.
Their 156 stolen bases were particularly notable, giving them another way to create scoring opportunities.
Against an elite Dodgers pitching staff, however, San Diego may need to capitalize on every baserunner.
A game that looks quiet through the first few innings could change quickly once the bullpens become involved.
Important Injuries
Injuries are especially important this late in the season.
Current matchup information lists several players on the Padres’ injury report, including:
- Gavin Sheets
- Jeremiah Estrada
- Jason Adam
- Miguel Andujar
- Joe Musgrove
The Dodgers’ injury list has also included notable players such as Blake Snell, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and others.
Because injury statuses can change daily, confirmed lineups should be checked close to game time.
Roki Sasaki Situation
Another interesting Dodgers storyline heading into the series is Roki Sasaki.
Recent reporting indicated that the Dodgers planned to use Sasaki in the bullpen during the Padres series rather than immediately returning him to the starting rotation.
That could give Los Angeles another high-level arm to deploy depending on how the games develop.
Padres vs Dodgers Prediction
This is a difficult matchup because both teams have compelling reasons to win.
The Dodgers have the better overall season record and substantially stronger run differential.
The Padres, however, entered the series in excellent recent form with a 9–1 record over their previous 10 games.
For the September 23 matchup, the pitching matchup is especially interesting:
Robbie Ray vs Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Yamamoto’s 2.51 ERA gives Los Angeles an obvious pitching advantage on paper, but Ray’s experience and San Diego’s recent form make the game competitive.
My projected score
Dodgers 5, Padres 3
This is a projection rather than a guaranteed outcome. Baseball is particularly volatile because one big inning, bullpen performance or defensive mistake can completely change a game.
Padres vs Dodgers Betting and Odds
Odds can change significantly throughout the day, particularly when starting pitchers and lineups are confirmed.
For the September 23 matchup, one current listing had San Diego as the underdog and Los Angeles as the favorite.
For anyone looking at betting markets, it is worth checking:
- Starting pitcher confirmation
- Starting lineups
- Injury updates
- Bullpen availability
- Moneyline
- Run line
- Total runs
Rather than relying on an early line, compare the market again shortly before first pitch.
How to Watch Padres vs Dodgers
The exact television coverage varies by game.
For the September 24 finale, MLB currently lists:
SportsNet LA
Padres.TV
MLB Network
The game is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. PDT at Dodger Stadium.
For viewers outside the local broadcast areas, MLB’s streaming availability can depend on location and blackout restrictions.
Where Are the Padres and Dodgers Playing?
The series is being played at:
UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium
Los Angeles, California.
The September 24 game is the Dodgers’ regular-season home finale. The club announced a Godzilla Minus Zero-themed promotional night for the occasion.
Padres vs Dodgers Rivalry
Padres-Dodgers has become one of baseball’s most recognizable National League rivalries.
The teams share the NL West, meaning they regularly compete against each other for division positioning and postseason opportunities.
The rivalry has also produced numerous high-profile postseason meetings and memorable regular-season games.
The geographic proximity between Southern California’s two MLB markets adds another layer to the matchup.
When the teams meet late in September, however, the rivalry takes on an additional dimension because playoff positioning is often at stake.
What to Watch
1. Yamamoto vs Padres hitters
The biggest early question is whether San Diego can score against Yamamoto.
If the Padres can get runners on base early, the matchup becomes much more interesting.
2. Robbie Ray vs Dodgers power
Ray will have to limit extra-base hits and avoid giving Los Angeles early opportunities.
3. The bullpens
Late-season bullpen usage can become complicated because managers are balancing individual games with postseason preparation.
4. Padres’ recent form
San Diego’s 9–1 record over its previous 10 games makes its current form one of the most important storylines.
5. Dodgers’ postseason positioning
Los Angeles has a major incentive to finish the regular season strongly as it tries to secure a first-round bye.
Padres vs Dodgers Final Thoughts
The current Padres-Dodgers series has almost everything you want from a late-season MLB matchup.
Los Angeles has the stronger season record and one of baseball’s most productive offenses. San Diego arrives with an excellent recent record and a postseason position that makes every remaining game important.
The pitching matchup of Robbie Ray and Yoshinobu Yamamoto is likely to determine the early shape of the September 23 game, while Nick Pivetta is scheduled to start the September 24 finale for San Diego.
With the regular season rapidly approaching its conclusion, Padres vs Dodgers isn’t just about rivalry bragging rights.
It is about October.
FAQs
When is Padres vs Dodgers?
The Padres and Dodgers are playing a three-game series in Los Angeles on September 22–24, 2026. The September 24 finale is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. PDT.
Who is pitching for the Padres?
Robbie Ray is scheduled to start September 23. Nick Pivetta is scheduled to start September 24.
Who is pitching for the Dodgers?
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is scheduled to start September 23. The Dodgers’ September 24 starter was still listed as TBD in the latest MLB probable-pitcher listing.
What is the Dodgers’ record?
The Dodgers entered the series at 96–60.
What is the Padres’ record?
The Padres entered the series at 87–69.
Where is Padres vs Dodgers being played?
The series is being played at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
What channel is Padres vs Dodgers on?
The September 24 game is listed on SportsNet LA, Padres.TV and MLB Network.
Who is favored in Padres vs Dodgers?
Current betting markets list the Dodgers as the favorite for the September 23 matchup, although odds can change before first pitch.
Who has been playing better recently?
San Diego entered the series 9–1 over its previous 10 games, while Los Angeles was 7–3 over its previous 10.
What is the Padres vs Dodgers prediction?
A reasonable projection for the September 23 matchup is Dodgers 5, Padres 3, but this is only a game prediction and not a guaranteed result.