Overview

• San Diego moved into sole possession of first place in the NL West this week following a 9-3 run since the July 31 trade deadline, overtaking a faltering Dodgers club.
• General manager A.J. Preller’s deadline acquisitions—including Ramón Laureano, Freddy Fermin, Mason Miller and J.P. Sears—have driven both a revitalized offense and bolstered the pitching staff.
• The Padres’ bullpen, boasting a 2.97 ERA for the season and a 2.05 mark since the deadline, has been among the best in MLB and a key factor in their surge.
• Los Angeles has gone 10-14 since the All-Star break and enters Friday’s opener at Dodger Stadium on a four-game skid, hampered by multiple pitching injuries.
• With Michael King placed on the 15-day IL for left knee inflammation, San Diego recalled Randy Vásquez from Triple-A El Paso, leaving the Friday starting role up in the air.