Dodgers News: Playing NL West Rivals Doesn't Change Justin Turner's Intensity

In this story:
With the Dodgers getting ready to take on the Padres, the high level of play will undoubtably come out due to postseason play. Of course, this series becomes a bit more meaningful for the Dodgers facing their NL West rivals, but them being division foes does not make it any different for Dodgers infielder Justin Turner.
The Dodgers have seemed focused all season long, and they will need that even more during the postseason. Postseason coaching and rotations come into play with completely new looks to try to gain an edge on the team, but of course this is all familiar territory for Turner as he told the media when asked about a switch of intensity against the Padres.
"I don't think so. I think, obviously, once you get to this point in the season, everyone we play is a good baseball team. You know, we're here focused on us and what we have to do and not whatever it says on the other team's shirt. So I think going into this, it didn't matter who we were playing. We were going to be prepared and ready to go. And we believe if we play our brand of baseball, we like our chances."
It's the right mentality for Turner to be ready at all costs no matter what, but from the fan perspective it's hard to imagine that being division rivals doesn't at-least sit behind their head a little bit. No matter what, when the postseason comes around so do the best versions of each team involved.

Ryan Menzie | Lead Contributor Ryan is an LA Native who has grown up praising the greatest athletes LA has had to offer. A love for sports ranging between basketball, football, volleyball and golf, a future Sports Management Masters graduate, and being engulfed into organized sports since seven years old, the passion and love for sports never ends for Ryan. If the words he writes don't paint the full picture of his true fandom, he will find more ways than one to tell the story and be more than willing to open up a nice LA sports debate with you. Favorite Player: Mookie Betts Favorite Moment: 2020 World Series. The Lakers won the NBA title and the Dodgers secured the World Series only a couple of months later. During such a rough time with COVID-19 and such a bleak look at how sports has tried to overcome the circumstances, it was a relief to see the night sky lit up for many nights and a makeshift parade in LA when it seemed like we needed it the most.
Follow @MenzieRyan