Despite a red-hot San Diego Padres team gaining control of the NL West in recent days, they can't seem to shake the dominance that the Los Angeles Dodgers have over them.

They leaned on him as they toppled the Los Angeles Dodgers in their most significant postseason series in decades. They got him at his best. His three years there included his second Cy Young campaign before he left to tour with their California-based division mates.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have dealt with plenty of injuries this season, along with stretches on the schedule with play below expectations, and yet something about the San Diego Padres brings out the best in the World Series champions.