The San Diego Padres won 90 games and earned a second straight playoff berth this past season but they came up short when they ran into the Chicago Cubs in the National League Wild Card Series.
It was a disappointment after the team reached the National League Division Series in 2024 and brought the eventual champion Los Angeles Dodgers to a decisive fifth game. And that was a step back from the team’s 2022 postseason, which saw it reach the National League Championship series after beating the Dodgers in the division series.
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San Diego Padres Manager Looks Forward To ‘Battles’ With Los Angeles Dodgers
While the Padres will reset and look to make it even further next year behind the star power of Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and company, they will almost certainly have to go through the Dodgers once again. As division rivals, the two compete fiercely during the regular season and any team with National League pennant aspirations should prepare to face the Dodgers at some point in the playoffs.
It’s a rivalry that’s understood by every member of the Padres organization, including their newly appointed manager Craig Stammen, who was hired this offseason after skipper Mike Shildt stepped down.
“We’ve definitely had a lot of battles with them,” Stammen said of his outlook on the Dodgers for next season, during a recent appearance on “Foul Territory.” “We’re looking forward to those battles this season.”
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That attitude might seem like a given from the Padres’ new manager, but in the context of the offseason so far, it would be understandable if Stammen felt like the gap between the two teams was getting wider.
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The Dodgers have now won back-to-back championships and added All-Star closer Edwin Diaz to the roster. Meanwhile, the Padres have had more of a modest offseason, re-signing Michael King and adding Sung-Mun Song while losing Dylan Cease, Robert Suarez and Ryan O’Hearn. The Padres might also start next season without Luis Arraez and several other players who remain free agents.
With that backdrop, Stammen delivered a noteworthy, four-word vow about how he expects his team to match up with the reigning champions.
“We’re going to compete,” Stammen said during the “Foul Territory” appearance.
Unless the Padres’ front office makes some significant moves in the next few weeks, it might be hard to imagine the rivalry being very competitive next season. But no matter who takes the field, Padres’ series with the Dodgers are usually pretty entertaining.
GOOD NEWS!! 💕 — Steffy Is PREGNANT Again as She Leaves Town After Luna Is Found ALIVE! | The Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers
Breaking news shakes the Forrester family as Steffy Forrester announces her pregnancy with twin girls amidst the stunning resurrection of Luna. Overwhelmed by this seismic revelation, Steffy declares her immediate departure to Paris, seeking peace to protect her unborn children and herself from the chaotic aftermath engulfing Los Angeles.
In a dramatic twist that upends the recent narrative, Steffy, once devastated by Luna’s supposed death, now faces the surreal reality of Luna’s survival. The discovery has sent shockwaves through the Forester clan, unearthing buried grief and igniting fresh turmoil just as Steffy embraces new life growing inside her.
Steffy learned of her unexpected twin pregnancy only hours before the shattering news about Luna’s miraculous survival emerged. The revelation of Luna’s rescue from near death in a remote Los Angeles clinic has overturned months of mourning and shifted the family’s emotional landscape in an instant.
Sitting alone in the Forester mansion, Steffy wrestled with a storm of conflicting emotions—the joy of impending motherhood with twins and the haunting shadow of Luna’s return. The tension between celebration and heartbreak marks a pivotal moment for Steffy, who has kept her pregnancy under wraps until now.
At a tense family gathering that summoned every key player, Steffy courageously disclosed her twin pregnancy and imminent departure. Her heartfelt announcement ignited a whirlwind of reactions—from disbelief to tears—as she declared her need to leave Los Angeles and retreat to Paris for solitude and healing.
The revelation struck deeply, especially for Ridge, Taylor, and Hope, who grappled with the unimaginable truth. Even Zen, previously engulfed by grief, managed a rare smile, highlighting the profound impact of Steffy’s news. The room’s charged atmosphere revealed the immense stakes involved in Steffy’s decision.
Steffy’s choice to leave was not made lightly. Citing the overwhelming emotional toll and her urgent need to nurture the unborn twins in a tranquil environment, she pledged to return stronger. Her resolve underscored a critical crossroads: safeguarding her family legacy while preserving her own sanity.
Finn, steadfast and understanding, offered his full support, even proposing to accompany her. Yet Steffy insisted on undertaking this journey alone with her daughters—underscoring a desperate bid for personal peace amid rapidly unraveling family complexities.
Her planned sanctuary is a quiet old Forester property near the Seine in Paris, a stark contrast to the chaos that has engulfed her Los Angeles life. This historically meaningful retreat is poised to become a haven where Steffy can embrace motherhood free from the relentless shadows of recent tragedies.
Before departing, Steffy sought reconciliation within her fractured family. She apologized to R.J. for previous misplaced blame and offered words of encouragement to Zen regarding his healing process. Her final words entrusted Ridge and Taylor with the family’s protection, especially Hope and now-living Luna.
Luna herself made a poignant appearance before Steffy’s departure. Weak but resolute, Luna absolved Steffy of guilt, recognizing the darkness she had endured and emphasizing forgiveness and acceptance. Their emotional embrace marked a tentative first step toward mending strained familial bonds wounded by loss and misunderstanding.
Preparation for Steffy’s temporary absence has triggered significant reshuffling within Forester Creations. Rich steps in to assist Thomas with leadership duties, while close family members schedule support for Steffy’s children. The industry watches anxiously as the powerful Forrester matriarch temporarily vacates her post amid 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝓃𝒅𝒂𝓁 and uncertainty.
Passing through the airport lounge, Steffy was accompanied by Kelly and Hayes, symbolizing a poignant departure. The serene skies overhead contrasted sharply with the turmoil left behind. With her hand firmly on her swollen belly, Steffy vowed silently to her unborn twin daughters that they would survive this turbulent chapter together.
Once in Paris, Steffy settled into the Forester family’s historic townhouse, a setting steeped in heritage but now infused with fresh hope. Between quiet mornings and nurturing her children, she began to reconstruct her shattered emotional world, proving the resilience that defines her spirit.
Despite the peace of her new environment, Steffy remains connected to her family through letters and calls. Thomas’s gift—a breathtaking gown inspired by the twins’ wings—emphasizes the intertwining of family ties and heartfelt support during her absence, reflecting the delicate balance of love and distance.
As her pregnancy advances, Steffy’s radiance and resolve deepened, signaling a renaissance of strength born from profound loss and love. With Finn’s imminent arrival, her journey embodies both completion and new beginnings, promising the arrival of daughters destined to