Former MLB star shares bold Padres take amid pursuit of Dodgers for NL West

The San Diego Padres are 64 and 51, two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL West division lead. San Diego isn't far behind the Dodgers, despite the early-season lead the Dodgers built.

With the lead down to just two games, the Padres are coming off an active trade deadline. Former MLB star Cameron Maybin on Foul Territory shared a bold take on the Padres' pursuit of the Dodgers to sit atop the NL West.

"Things just feel right for the Padres," Maybin said. "Right now, I love the pieces that they added (to the lineup). Defensively, I think they're better. I think the starting rotation is better right now."

Who wins the NL West: Padres or Dodgers?@CameronMaybin says things just feel right for the boys down in San Diego. 👀 pic.twitter.com/k9wIDU936A

Maybin, who played in San Diego for four seasons, believes the Padres can surpass the Dodgers in the NL West. Thanks to an active trade deadline from A.J. Preller, the roster looks to be stronger from top to bottom.

Their lineup is dramatically improved from where it was before the deadline. With the additions of Ryan O'Hearn, Ramon Laureano, and Freddy Fermin, the new-look Padres lineup is much deeper than it was earlier in the year.

In the starting rotation, they held onto Dylan Cease, added JP Sears (who was sent down to the minors), and added Nestor Cortes. Michael King is getting healthy, and Nick Pivetta has been great in 2025.

While the Dodgers' rotation is one of the best in baseball, the Padres' rotation isn't far behind. But that's not where their strength lies. The Padres' strongest area of the roster is in the bullpen.

MORE: Padres pull off blockbuster trade for Athletics' Mason Miller

Mason Miller, the Padres' blockbuster trade deadline pickup, is an elite flame-throwing reliever who joins the Padres' bullpen. Robert Suarez, the MLB saves leader, stayed with the team despite trade rumors. Those two are just scratching the surface.

Adrian Morejon and Jason Adam, with 2.05 and 1.78 ERA's respectively, were both All-Stars this season. Jeremiah Estrada has a 2.61 ERA and has been great this season. The team's sixth reliever, Wandy Peralta, has a 3.10 ERA and is having a strong year.

From top to bottom, the Padres' bullpen has been incredible. They're the best bullpen by ERA in baseball with a 2.99 ERA, 0.32 better than the Texas Rangers, the team with the second-best bullpen.

Thanks to a revamped roster after the trade deadline, Maybin believes the Padres can surpass the Dodgers to win the NL West. Sitting just two games back with a little under two months to go,  there's plenty of time for Maybin's belief to come true.

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