In baseball's intense rivalry, the Padres demonstrate a persistent life, while the Dodgers face potential losses.

The National League West race has become a thrilling spectacle, with the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers locked in a fierce battle. The Padres' recent victory over the Dodgers has tied the standings, leaving both teams to fight for the division title.

On Friday, the Padres celebrated a hard-fought 2-1 victory against their rivals. The Dodgers were held to just three hits, while the Padres dropped three sacrifice bunts - the most in the majors this season, with 40. In contrast, the Dodgers have the fewest sacrifice bunts of any NL team, with eight.

The Padres' triumph has raised questions among Dodgers fans, who have been wondering why their team seems to be struggling to keep up with the competition. This concern is not new, as it was also voiced during the winter months. However, the Dodgers' manager, Dave Roberts, remains calm, emphasizing that the division title is not won or lost in a single series.

The Dodgers are not without their reinforcements. Reliever Tanner Scott was activated on Friday, and infielder/outfielder Kiké Hernández could be activated next week. Additionally, relievers Michael Kopech and Brock Stewart, infielder/outfielder Hyeseong Kim, infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman, and third baseman Max Muncy are expected to be activated at some point.

Meanwhile, the Padres have also been making moves. Kirby Yates could be activated as soon as Saturday, adding a strong arm to their bullpen. The cliche about getting a player off the injured list is about to be put to a real-life test for the Dodgers.

In other developments, the Dodgers will finish the regular season against the Seattle Mariners instead of the Padres. On Friday, infielder Alex Freeland made history for the Dodgers, hitting his first major league home run. In a strategic move, the Dodgers burned their backup catcher to bat for Buddy Kennedy, who went hitless. Justin Dean was trusted to pinch-run and play center field, but not to bat.

With 31 games left in the season for the Dodgers, the race for the National League West title is far from over. Both teams will need to make the most of their remaining games to secure their place in the postseason. As it stands, Baseball Prospectus puts the Dodgers' chance of making the playoffs at 99.8%, and the Padres' chance at 99.6%. The stage is set for an exciting finish to the 2022 season.