The stage is set for the battle of first-benchers. Yes, the upcoming Padres-Dodgers showdown feels less like a regular-season series and more like a three-night prize fight. While the Padres sit atop the division, the Dodgers are breathing down their neck, just a single win behind. And one game is all that separates first from second, bragging rights from scoreboard envy.

Of course, no one’s forgotten the last time these two met. That series was less about box scores and more about bruise counts, with a barrage of hit-by-pitches turning the diamond into a powder keg. So, if that was just the trailer, this weekend could be the blockbuster. Expect some high drama, bad blood, and a touch of unpredictability that only rivalry baseball can deliver.

But the intrigue isn’t just in the standings or the history; it’s in the lineups. The Dodgers were already staggered after the sudden scratch of Max Muncy, losing one of their most dangerous bats just before the first pitch. Yet just as L.A. fans began to brace for the uphill climb, the Padres lost one of their elite starting pitchers to injury. A blow that could leave a hole in their rotation at the worst possible time.

“The Padres have placed Michael King — who was scheduled to start on Friday against the Dodgers — on the injured list in a shocking update,” Dodgers Nation’s official update states.

So, the Padres got some tough news here! Michael King is heading back to the 15-day injured list, this time with inflammation in his left knee. And reportedly, they’ve called up starter Randy Vasquez to take his place.

Well, it’s a frustrating turn for King, who had just returned from a long IL stint for a shoulder injury that kept him out over two months. In his first game back, he only went two innings, giving up two runs on four hits with one strikeout. Yes, not the sharpest outings, but there was hope he’d find his groove again. But now, that comeback is on hold.

When he’s been healthy, King has been excellent this season. He posted a 2.81 ERA with 65 SOs and a 4–2 record over 11 starts. And hence, he was actually supposed to start Friday’s opener. But now, as he will miss the crucial weekend series against the Dodgers, the Padres lose their top arm for a big game. It’s a tough break for a surging Padres squad riding a five-game winning streak into a big weekend series against the Dodgers.

Reportedly, the Padres had just grabbed the top spot in the NL West, their first time leading this late in a season since 2010 when this setback hit.

The Padres are looking to splash the kingdom sans King

Well, sidelining King would surely be a breath of fresh air for the Dodgers, but be assured that the Padres are not leaving the ground.

In a corresponding move, the Padres called up Randy Vasquez from Triple-A El Paso. A move that strongly suggests the right-hander could be in line to take the mound in Michael King’s place.

For the unversed, the 26-year-old has actually spent the bulk of this season at the MLB level. He was sent down on August 3 to clear roster space for trade deadline acquisition Nestor Cortes. And in 22 starts this year, Vasquez has posted a respectable 3.93 ERA, striking out 55 batters over 107.2 innings. While his strikeout numbers aren’t eye-popping, he’s been steady, something the Padres badly need with King sidelined.

Last year, Vasquez started 20 games for the Padres. He recorded a 4.87 ERA but showed flashes of swing-and-miss stuff at a slightly higher strikeout rate. Moreover, his brief stay in Triple-A this season wasn’t stellar. Vasquez gave up five runs on five hits in three innings against the Dodgers’ Oklahoma City affiliate. But again, that one outing doesn’t erase the fact that he’s been serviceable in the majors.

No, he’s not Michael King and only a few in the Padres’ rotation can match King’s dominance when healthy. But Vasquez offers big-league starting experience, a proven ability to handle a full workload, and the composure to face a high-stakes series like the one coming up in Los Angeles. Given the current options, he might just be the Padres’ best bet to fill the void.