The National League West division race is heating up as the San Diego Padres close in on the Los Angeles Dodgers, setting up the tightest battle between these two rivals in 15 years. The Padres beat the Giants.

The last time the Padres led the NL West this late in the season was in 2010; Dave Roberts told the Dodgers to 'ramp up the intensity.'

The San Diego Padres had previously not accomplished their most recent impressive feat since the 2010 MLB season.

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.

When told about Miller's comments, Dodgers veteran Clayton Kershaw dismissed any hard feelings with a two-word message. "That's fine," Kershaw said, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register.

Manny Machado believes his teammates acquired at the trade deadline deserve credit for contributing to the San Diego Padres' climb up the NL West standings.

The San Diego Padres have quietly surged in the standings, winning 23 of their last 35 games. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers have lost 21 of 33 and now trail San Diego by a full game. Friday at Dodger Stadium,