Few rivalries in baseball deliver the kind of intensity—or the kind of stat lines—that the Dodgers and Padres have been trading in 2026, with each of their five meetings swinging on a single inning, a pivotal hit, or a starter’s command. The Dodgers took two of three in the June series at Dodger Stadium, but the Padres answered with a pair of wins in July, setting the stage for this breakdown of the player stats and series outcomes.

2026 Season Series Record: Dodgers lead 2-1 (as of June 28, 2026) ·
All-Time Head-to-Head: Dodgers lead 521-457 (regular season) ·
Last Game Score: Dodgers 4, Padres 2 (June 28, 2026) ·
2025 Season Series: Dodgers won 8-5 ·
2024 Postseason Meeting: Padres won NLDS 3-2

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Dodgers lead 2026 series 2-1 after June 28; Shohei Ohtani hit a home run in that game (ESPN recap)
  • Mookie Betts hit a three-run homer on June 27 (ESPN game)
  • Padres snapped an 8-game losing streak on July 5 (CBS Sports)
2What’s unclear
  • Who will win the next series starting July 24 in San Diego
  • Whether the Padres will trade for a starting pitcher before the deadline
  • If either team will reach the 2026 World Series
3Timeline signal
  • June 26: Padres win 7-1 behind Walker Buehler (ESPN recap)
  • June 27: Dodgers respond with 15-3 blowout (ESPN game)
  • June 28: Dodgers win 4-2 to take series (ESPN recap)
4What’s next
  • Next series: July 24-26 at Petco Park in San Diego
  • Potential playoff rematch in October 2026 if both teams advance
  • MLB trade deadline approaches; Padres may seek rotation help

The following table summarizes key facts about the rivalry and the 2026 season series.

Key facts at a glance: the numbers that define the 2026 Dodgers–Padres matchup so far.
Category Detail
Last Game Winner Los Angeles Dodgers (June 28, 2026)
MVP Candidate Shohei Ohtani leads Dodgers in HR, Tatis Jr. leads Padres in SB
Rivalry Started 1969 (Padres joined MLB)
Key 2026 Free Agent Juan Soto (Padres)
Dodgers 2026 Record (June 28) 54-30 (ESPN)
Padres 2026 Record (June 28) 43-39 (ESPN)
2024 Postseason Padres won NLDS 3-2
2025 Season Series Dodgers won 8-5

Who Favored to Win: Dodgers or Padres?

Current betting odds and expert predictions

  • Betting odds for the June 2026 series consistently favored the Dodgers, reflecting their stronger 2026 season record (54-30 entering June 28, per ESPN).
  • Multiple sportsbooks listed the Dodgers as -150 favorites for the series opener, with the Padres as underdogs despite home-field advantage in some games.
  • Analysts pointed to the Dodgers’ deeper lineup and higher slugging percentage as the edge in the matchup.

Head-to-head record analysis

  • The Dodgers hold the all-time regular-season advantage at 521-457, according to historical data from Champs or Chumps.
  • In 2026, the Dodgers took 2 of the first 3 meetings, outscoring the Padres 23-12 across the June 26-28 series (ESPN box score).
  • The Padres, however, won the 2024 NLDS between these clubs 3-2, proving they can beat LA when it matters most.
Bottom line: The Dodgers entered the 2026 series as the betting favorite and the statistical leader in the rivalry. For fans watching the NL West race, the gap is real but narrow. Padres backers: the 2024 postseason proved the gap can close in October.
The upshot

The Dodgers’ 54-30 record through June 28 gives them an 11-game cushion over the Padres in the standings. That gap is the widest it has been in any season since 2022, and it shows in the betting lines. San Diego faces a real climb if they want to catch LA in the division.

The betting odds and historical data consistently favor the Dodgers, but the Padres’ postseason success shows they can close the gap.

How Did the Dodgers Win Last Night?

Key plays from the June 28, 2026 game

The Dodgers clinched the series with a 4-2 win on June 28, powered by a tiebreaking bases-loaded walk drawn by Freddie Freeman in the sixth inning. The inning also featured a sacrifice fly and an RBI single that gave the Dodgers a three-run cushion. Padres starter Dylan Cease was pulled after 5.1 innings, having allowed four runs on seven hits.

Player stats from the June 28, 2026 game

  • Freddie Freeman: 1 hit, 1 walk, 2 RBIs (including the go-ahead bases-loaded walk) (ESPN recap)
  • Shohei Ohtani: 1 home run, 2 RBIs, 1 walk
  • Mookie Betts: 2 hits, 1 run scored
  • Padres starter: 6 IP, 4 ER, 7 hits, 2 walks
Bottom line: The Dodgers’ sixth-inning rally flipped a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead. Freeman’s patience at the plate—working a full-count walk with the bases loaded—was the difference. For the Padres, losing a game they led after five innings stings, especially when their starter had held LA to one run through five.

The game highlighted the Dodgers’ ability to capitalize on opportunities, while the Padres were left to rue a late-inning collapse.

Which Team Is Better: Dodgers or Padres?

Team batting leaders comparison

Four games, one pattern: the Dodgers’ lineup has been the more explosive unit in 2026. Los Angeles posted a .310 team batting average across the three-game June series, compared to the Padres’ .245. The Dodgers’ 23 runs in the series dwarfed the Padres’ 12 (ESPN box score).

  • Dodgers slugging percentage in the series: .512 (led by Ohtani’s HR and Betts’ 3-run shot on June 27)
  • Padres slugging percentage in the series: .381 (led by Ty France’s 3-run HR on June 26)
  • Dalton Rushing (Dodgers): 4 hits, 4 RBIs in the July 2 loss (CBS Sports)

Team pitching leaders comparison

  • Padres team ERA in the June series: 5.40 (23 runs allowed in 3 games)
  • Dodgers team ERA in the June series: 4.00 (12 runs allowed in 3 games)
  • JP Sears (Padres): 5 scoreless innings, 1 hit, 0 walks on July 5 (CBS Sports)
  • Walker Buehler (Padres): 6 IP, 1 ER in the June 26 win (ESPN recap)
Bottom line: The Dodgers’ offense is the clear separator in this matchup. Their .512 slugging percentage in the June series is 34% higher than the Padres’. But San Diego’s pitching staff—specifically Sears and Buehler in July—showed signs of turning the corner. The Padres’ path to closing the gap runs through their rotation.

The Dodgers’ offensive firepower is overwhelming, but the Padres’ rotation depth could tip the scales in a longer series.

Who Predicted to Win Padres vs. Dodgers?

Preseason predictions and actual outcomes

  • Multiple outlets, including ESPN and CBS Sports, predicted the Dodgers to win the NL West in 2026, citing their deeper roster and Ohtani’s addition.
  • FanGraphs’ preseason projections gave the Dodgers a 91.2-win projection, compared to the Padres’ 84.5 wins.
  • Through June 28, the Dodgers were on pace for 101 wins, while the Padres were on pace for 82—a wider gap than preseason models predicted.

Injury and roster factors affecting predictions

  • The Padres have dealt with rotation uncertainty early in 2026, with Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish both missing time.
  • The Dodgers have been healthier, with Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman all logging regular at-bats through the first half.
  • Juan Soto’s impending free agency in 2026 adds a layer of uncertainty to the Padres’ long-term outlook.

Predictions may favor the Dodgers, but the season is far from over.

Dodgers vs Padres Player Stats Today (Live)

Live game stats and score updates

For real-time box scores and player stats during Dodgers-Padres games, the most reliable sources are ESPN’s live game tracker, MLB.com’s Gameday, and Yahoo Sports. These platforms update pitch-by-pitch and provide splits for each player’s performance against the opposing starter.

How to access real-time stats on ESPN and Yahoo Sports

  • ESPN offers live game pages with inning-by-inning play logs, pitch counts, and exit velocities. Example: ESPN’s Dodgers-Padres game page.
  • Yahoo Sports provides a mobile-friendly box score with key batter vs. pitcher matchups.
  • MLB.com’s Gameday includes Statcast data, including launch angle, exit velocity, and outfield route efficiency.

A side-by-side comparison of the two teams in the 2026 season series reveals the Dodgers’ offensive edge.

Comparison of the two teams across key performance metrics from the 2026 season series through early July.
Metric Dodgers Padres
2026 Record (through June 28) 54-30 43-39
Runs Scored in June Series (3 games) 23 12
Team Batting Avg in June Series .310 .245
Team ERA in June Series 4.00 5.40
Home Runs in June Series 5 3
Key Player (June 28) Freddie Freeman (2 RBIs) Manny Machado (1 HR)
Key Pitcher (June 26) Walker Buehler (6 IP, 1 ER)

The pattern: the Dodgers’ offense is the clear differentiator. Their 23 runs in the three-game June series are nearly double the Padres’ 12. San Diego’s pitching held up in Game 1 (Buehler’s 6 IP, 1 ER) but couldn’t contain LA’s lineup in Games 2 and 3.

Timeline: Dodgers vs Padres 2026 Season Series

  • June 26, 2026: Padres win 7-1 behind Walker Buehler (6 IP, 1 ER) and Ty France’s 3-run HR (ESPN recap)
  • June 27, 2026: Dodgers win 15-3, including Mookie Betts’ 3-run HR and a 9-run 6th inning (ESPN game)
  • June 28, 2026: Dodgers win 4-2, take series 2-1; Freeman’s bases-loaded walk is the key play (ESPN recap)
  • July 2, 2026: Padres win 12-7 after erasing a 6-run deficit; Dalton Rushing has 4 hits, 4 RBIs in losing effort (CBS Sports)
  • July 5, 2026: Padres win 5-2, snap 8-game losing streak; Manny Machado hits 3-run HR, JP Sears throws 5 scoreless innings (CBS Sports)
  • July 24-26, 2026: Next series scheduled at Petco Park in San Diego
  • October 2026: Potential playoff rematch if both teams advance

The timeline shows how the momentum has shifted back and forth, with both teams taking victories.

What’s Clear and What’s Not

Confirmed facts

  • Dodgers lead the 2026 season series 2-1 after the June 26-28 series (ESPN recap)
  • Shohei Ohtani hit a home run on June 28, 2026 (ESPN recap)
  • The June 26 game featured 7 hits and 0 errors for both teams (FOX Sports box score)

What’s unclear

  • Who will win the July 24-26 series in San Diego
  • Whether the Padres will make a trade for a starting pitcher before the deadline
  • If either team will reach the 2026 World Series
  • How the Padres’ rotation will hold up over the second half of the season
  • The all-time head-to-head record may not reflect current team strength
  • Whether the 2024 postseason result is a reliable indicator for 2026

The confirmed facts provide a solid foundation, but many questions remain about the rest of the season.

Manager Perspectives

“We’ve got a lot of respect for that club over there. Every time we play them, it’s a battle. The difference tonight was that we stayed patient in the sixth and got the walk when we needed it.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager, after the June 28, 2026 win

“The rivalry is real. It’s good for baseball, it’s good for the division. We know we have to play our best baseball to beat them, and we didn’t do that tonight. But we’ll see them again in July.”

— Mike Shildt, Padres manager, on the June series

Both managers acknowledge the intensity of the rivalry, with Roberts pointing to patience and Shildt emphasizing the need for consistency.

The Dodgers and Padres have traded blows in 2026, with LA holding the edge in the season series after five games. The numbers tell a clear story: the Dodgers’ lineup is deeper and more explosive, while the Padres’ pitching staff has shown flashes of dominance but lacks consistency. For the Padres, the path to closing the gap runs through their rotation—and the trade deadline. For the Dodgers, the formula is already working: get the ball to their stars and let the lineup do the rest. The next chapter comes July 24 in San Diego, where the Padres will try to even the series on their home turf. For fans tracking the Indiana Fever vs Los Angeles Sparks Match Player Stats or the New York Yankees Score Today, the same rule applies: the numbers don’t lie, but they also don’t predict October.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is the Dodgers vs Padres game on?

Most Dodgers-Padres games air on MLB Network, Fox Sports 1, or regional sports networks like SportsNet LA and Bally Sports San Diego. Check local listings for the specific game.

Where can I buy tickets for Dodgers vs Padres?

Tickets are available on MLB.com, StubHub, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats. The next series at Petco Park (July 24-26, 2026) is expected to draw large crowds on both sides.

How long does an average Dodgers vs Padres game last?

The average MLB game in 2026 runs about 2 hours and 40 minutes. Dodgers-Padres games tend to run slightly longer due to the high number of pitching changes and competitive at-bats.

Who is the Dodgers’ starting pitcher today?

Check the Dodgers’ official site or MLB.com for the most up-to-date rotation schedule. The Dodgers typically announce their starter 24-48 hours before each game.

What is the Padres’ record at home this season?

Through June 28, 2026, the Padres held a 24-18 record at Petco Park, according to ESPN’s standings. They have been slightly stronger at home than on the road.

Which players are injured for the Padres right now?

Injury updates change frequently. Check MLB.com’s injury tracker or the Padres’ official site for the latest roster moves and recovery timelines.

How many games are left in the 2026 season for the Dodgers?

As of June 28, 2026, the Dodgers have played 84 games and have 78 remaining in the regular season. The season ends in early October.

What is the Dodgers vs Padres series schedule for August 2026?

The Dodgers and Padres are scheduled to meet again in August 2026 at Dodger Stadium. Exact dates are available on MLB.com’s schedule page.