The San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers currently sit as the best rivalry in baseball right now.
But when it comes down to a weekend matchup against one another at the end of June, young outfielder Samad Taylor views the rivalry as “Just another day of baseball.”
Of course, Taylor had a smile on his face after he called Friday night’s game another day of baseball, but he does understand what the rivalry means.
“When I signed over here at first, you know, over the previous years of watching baseball, you see all the bench clearings and guys getting hit, and you see all that good stuff, and you know what you’re getting yourself into,” Taylor told 97.3 The Fan.
“I know the rivalry that it is, and like I said, it’s just another day of baseball. We’re gonna keep working, and hopefully we get a sweep, or hopefully we get a series win.”
Taylor is prepared to get his first taste of the rivalry as he will make his debut as a member of the Padres, after signing with the club during the offseason on a minor league deal.
Taylor just missed the Padres’ first series against the Dodgers when they came to town at the end of May while he was playing with San Diego’s Triple-A affiliate, the El Paso Chiuhauhaus.
After a strong start to the minor league season, he was called up to the Padres’ MLB roster and has served as a platoon corner outfielder, spending time between right and left field.
Through 17 games this season, Taylor has been on a tear across the MLB, slashing .379/.446/.448 with 22 hits, 11 RBIs, 7 walks, and 6 stolen bases.
As he prepares to take on the reigning back-to-back World Series Champions, Taylor doesn’t seem too worried about facing the Dodgers.
“I know the stadium is going to be rocking, per usual. I wouldn’t necessarily say just because of the team across, the stadium is going to be more packed. You look at the past couple of series we’ve had at home, it’s 40,000 fans. Are there probably going to be more? Who knows?” Taylor said. “It’s just going to be another game, another day, take it how we got it.”
