The San Francisco Giants were supposed to start the season on March 31 against the San Diego Padres. Instead, it’s the fourth game of the season — and at home, instead of on the road — when the Giants get to first square off with their other SoCal rivals.
This will never be a rivalry the way it is with the Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers, but you could argue that the Padres are the most important opponent for the Giants.
San Francisco probably won’t win the NL West again, though they should absolutely try, and it would be amazing theater if they did.