Shohei Ohtani's 2-way brilliance returns, ace closer Mason Miller shows vulnerability and more: 5 takeaways from Dodgers-Padres series

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres met at Petco Park for their first series of 2026, playing a three-game set that highlighted Shohei Ohtani's return to two-way form and showed some vulnerability from Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller. The rivalry, described as one of MLB's most compelling, offered positive signs for both clubs heading into the season. It is the first of four scheduled regular-season series between the two teams, with potential postseason implications also on the horizon.