Padres and Dbacks chase the Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB National League West Division

The National League West standings couldn’t be more similar.

Since the All-Star break, the San Diego Padres have been on fire.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have done it too.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have won, but have not been able to keep up with the Padres and the Diamondbacks.

When play began during the week of August 12, all three teams had a chance to win the highly competitive National League West.

The Dodgers had compiled a 69-49 record, giving them a 3.5-game lead over San Diego and Arizona, who both had a 66-53 record.

Here’s what’s happened since the All-Star break:

Dodgers-7-5 in July, 6-3 in August, before August 12

Diamondbacks 9-3 in July, 8-2 in August, before August 12

Parents 9-2 in July, 7-2 in August before August 12

Everything is at stake in the last month and a half of the season.

Below are some notes on the three contenders:

Los Angeles Dodgers:

Every team suffers from injuries during the season.

The Dodgers have been playing without one of the game’s best players since right fielder/second baseman/shortstop Mookie Betts suffered a broken hand when he was hit by a pitch on June 16.

Betts returned on Aug. 12 and is playing right field. He homered in his second at-bat after returning.

Dodgers pitchers Walker Buehler, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, River Ryan, Emmet Sheehan and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are currently on the injured list.

The Dodgers had been counting on Yamamoto to bolster their rotation, but he has been out injured since June 1.

The Dodgers bolstered their pitching at the trade deadline by acquiring starter Jack Flaherty and reliever Michael Kopech in trade deadline deals.

Infielder Amed Rosario and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier were also acquired via trade. The team signed free agent Nick Amed to bolster the shaky shortstop position.

Rosario has since been designated for assignment.

Key games: at the Diamondbacks on Aug. 30-31, Sept. 1-2, and at home against the Padres on Sept. 24, 25-26.

Remaining teams playing: @ Brewers (4) @Cardinals (3) Mariners (3) Rays (3) Orioles (3) @Angels (2) Guardians (3) Cubs 3) @ Braves (4) @Marlins (3) Rockies (3) @Rockies (3)

Days off: five

San Diego Padres:

The Padres have built their roster through trades. In fact, only one player from their regular starting lineup was selected by the Padres. That was Jackson Merrill, a great athlete, whom the team took in the first round of the 2021 draft.

Luis Campusano is the only substitute player recruited by the team.

Across the entire pitching staff, not a single player was drafted by the Padres. All were traded or acquired as free agents.

Since the trade deadline, the Padres have arguably the best bullpen in baseball.

The Padres’ lineup is comprised of a mix of left- and right-handed hitters, and every player contributes. Perhaps none more so than the exciting and versatile Merrill.

Key games: @Dodgers September 24, 25, 26 and @Dbacks September 27, 28, 29

Remaining teams playing: Pirates (3) @Rockies (3) Twins (3) Mets (4) @Cardinals (4) @Rays (3) Tigers (3) Giants (3) @Mariners (2) @Giants 3) Astros (3) White Sox (3)

Days off: six

Arizona Diamondbacks:

After several miserable months, outfielder Corbin Carroll is showing some life in his game.

The Diamondbacks have been counting on the hot bat of second baseman Ketel Marte.

The team acquired first baseman Josh Bell when it lost the powerful bat of first baseman Christian Walker to injury. Bell has had some big hits for Arizona.

The team lost catcher Gabriel Moreno to a groin injury, but young catcher Adrian Del Castro came in and provided some excellent offense.

Right-hander Merrill Kelly has returned to the rotation after some time on the injured list, as has left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. The team can now deploy a six-man rotation.

Key games: Dodgers at home on August 30 and 31, September 1 and 2 and Padres at home on September 27, 28 and 29

Remaining teams playing: Rockies (3) @Rays (3) @Marlins (3) @Red Sox (3) Mets (3) @Giants (3) @Astros (3) Rangers (2) Brewers (3) @Rockies ( 3) @Brewers 4) Giants (3)

Days off: six

Buckle up. This NL West race could come down to the final day of the season, Sept. 29, 2024.