Rivalry Returns: Padres, Dodgers Clash For First Time This Season

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres begin a three-game series at Petco Park starting Monday, May 18, 2026, marking their first meeting of the MLB season. The Dodgers hold a half-game lead over the Padres in the NL West standings, with both teams having won on Sunday. Monday's opener features a pitcher's duel between San Diego's King (2.63 ERA, 1.09 WHIP in nine starts) and Los Angeles's Yoshinobu Yamamoto (3.60 ERA).