After dispatching one second-place team during the week, the Los Angeles Dodgers will face another one when they host the San Francisco Giants on Friday in the start of a three-game weekend series.

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.

Andy Pages and Tommy Edman each drive in runs to lift the Dodgers to an 8-7 win over the Padres in the first meeting of the season in the fast-growing rivalry.