It's been 15 years since the Padres led the NL West this late

State of play: It's the latest they've been in that position since Sept. 25, 2010, when the Padres improbably marched to 90 wins but were eliminated from the playoffs on the last day of the season.

• The Padres are now half a game back of the Phillies for the NL's second-best record, which earns a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Zoom out: GM AJ Preller went all in on the Padres current team at the trade deadline, and the team has responded in kind.

• They're 9-3 since the deadline, and 17-8 since the All-Star break.

Between the lines: The team's shutdown bullpen has been as good as advertised, and the new additions made an immediate mark.

• Shortstop Xander Bogearts has rebounded after a tough start, and superstars Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. have been the team's best players as expected.

What's next: The Padres head to Dodger Stadium this weekend for a three-game series.

• The Dodgers then come to Petco Park next weekend for the final three games between the teams this year, with a month to play in the season.