The Padres spent months chasing down -- and eventually overtaking -- the Dodgers in the National League West standings. Staying atop the division, it seems, will be another challenge entirely.

The Los Angeles Dodgers haven't lost the division since the San Francisco Giants won the NL West in 2021. But for much of the decade, it's the Dodgers who have

The Dodgers have quelled plenty of challengers during their reign in the division, but the Padres have shown enough staying power to fuel increasingly contentious bouts.

According to MLB Pipeline, the Padres' farm system after such a wild trade deadline ranked dead last in baseball. In the preseason, they ranked 25th, but after a wild deadline, Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra, and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com had an easy time ranking the Padres in last place.

The San Diego Padres kick off a three-game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday night at Dodger Stadium. More news: Dodgers All-Star Says Padres Rivalry

San Diego Padres left fielder Ramon Laureano has been one of the best trade-deadline acquisitions this season.