The best team in baseball resides in the NL West, though it's maybe not the team you're thinking. The San Diego Padres, at 9-2, have MLB's best record in the early going this season. They won a franchise-record seven straight games to begin 2025 and have jumped over the favored Dodgers, who are 1-3 since their own historic 8-0 start.

Merrill was kept out of Monday’s game with ‘leg stiffness’ per manager Mike Shildt but it was said to be precautionary. The decision was made to put him on the IL on Tuesday and Jose Iglesias will play left field while Brandon Lockridge moves to centerfield for the game on Tuesday night.

A week after agreeing to a nine-year, $135 million contract with the San Diego Padres, All-Star center fielder Jackson Merrill was placed on the injured list. The 21-year-old finalized the nine-year deal that keeps him in San Diego through 2034,

Randy Vásquez gave up one hit over five innings and Xander Bogaerts had three hits and scored both of San Diego's runs in a 2-1 victory over the Athletics on Wednesday.

Finally! The Athletics got the win tonight, earning their first victory in Sacramento by beating the San Diego Padres 10-4 and tying this series up one game apiece with the rubber match set for tomorrow afternoon.