With the Dodgers having played only 12 games into their 162-game 2022 season, it seems a bit ridiculous to call this weekend’s three-game series against the division-rival San Diego Padres at Petco Park the most important series of the season. But the truth of the matter is that it very well could end up being exactly that.

How so, you ask?

Here’s how so:

As you can see, and even though “It’s still early,” as so many people like to say (I am not among them, because a regular-season win or loss in April carries exactly the same weight as a regular-season win or loss in October), a sweep by either team after only 15 (or 17) games into the season would create some serious separation within the divisional standings.

With Wednesday’s news that 30-year-old Dodgers left-hander Andrew Heaney had been placed on the Injured List with “left shoulder discomfort,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has already had to make an adjustment to his initial 2022 starting rotation. And even though Heaney’s named replacement, 32-year-old left-hander Tyler Anderson, has been a starter for most of his (now) seven-year Major League career, losing one of your starters after only two starts could prove to be a significant blow to the defending NL West champs.

But as they say (whoever they are), ‘It is what it is,’ and the Dodgers must “Play the hand they’re dealt” (as they also say).

Play Ball!

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