Padres News: Dodgers Stars Kershaw, Freeman, Betts Hopeful for Friars Turn Around
Through the rivalry and the bulletin board material and the drama, there's still some love between the Padres and LA Dodgers. The team they call the Boys in Blue sit above the Friars with a comfortable 8.5 game lead in the NL West. Not what the MLB pundits heading into the season had envisioned for San Diego.
Thankfully, the Padres have been on a bit of a hot streak of late, winning 6 of 8 contests in July and setting themselves up for a second half surge to pull closer to the Diamondbacks and Dodgers in the West.
And LA All-Star Mookie Betts is among the Dodgers players that are hopeful the Padres keep winning and making it a race late into the summer.
“They’ll get it together," Betts said responding to a question about the high payroll Padres and Mets that have struggled in 2023. "I’m sure they’ll get together and they’ll be right in the thick of things when it comes down to playoff time. … Great rosters, sometimes you’re not gonna win. But it’s only the first half of the season. I’m sure they will be fine.”
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
Another Dodger All-Star Freddie Freeman told reporters he is all for the Padres' continued success.
“Believe me, the Padres will be there at the end. We’ll all be going for it.”
And long-time nemesis Clayton Kershaw subtly hoped for Padre success while discussing the overall idea of higher payroll teams in baseball.
“I think you want teams that spend money to do well. As a player, that’s what we want. So, the Mets and Padres, we need to have them back where they belong. They’re playing better, both of them, so I think they’ll be there. Obviously, there’s a lot of young talent, and that’s great and all. But ultimately, teams that spend money hopefully are rewarded in this game. And I think over the long period of time, you will see that’s the way to be successful, for sure.”
