The last Dodgers-Padres matchup got heated, with eight hit batters across four games and a benches-clearing near-fight between managers Dave Roberts and Mike Shildt. This weekend’s three-game set at Dodger Stadium, followed by another in San Diego later this month, could determine the division’s fate.

As recently as July 3, the Los Angeles Dodgers were sitting on a comfortable nine-game lead in the NL West. The defending World Series champs had won four straight games and 15 of their last 18 games despite having a full 13-man pitching staff on the injured list and getting something less than superstar play from Mookie Betts.