For both the Dodgers and San Diego Padres, the assignment over the next few weeks figured to be simple:
Take care of business, and beat the teams you’re supposed to.
After all, the Dodgers are beginning a stretch of 15-straight games against clubs below .500. The Padres, meanwhile, will play 13 of their next 16 games against opponents with losing records; the lone exception being the 68-67 Cincinnati Reds.
It seemed to be an opportunity for each contender to stack up wins, build late-season momentum, and try to wrestle away control of a division race that the Dodgers currently lead by two games.