As noted in this week's Soapbox on how the schedule isn't up to par this season -- nor has it been for years -- the Padres and the Dodgers just played each other for the first tim

Still, on Monday, the Padres came within a close call or two of moving into a virtual tie atop the NL West. The Dodgers remain the class of the division and, until proven otherwise, the entire league. And for now, the team that nearly ousted them last October doesn’t appear to be going away.