Take 5: Keys in Dodgers-Padres NLDS Game 4

SAN DIEGO -- Always living in the shadow of their northern neighbors, the San Diego Padres have matured and could secure their second National League Division Series win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in three seasons in Game 4 on Wednesday.

The Dodgers had dominated the regular-season series against the Padres for 13 consecutive years until this season, when San Diego took the lead with an 8-5 record. With a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five NLDS, the Padres will face the Dodgers in San Diego for Game 4 on Wednesday.

Here are five crucial factors for victory in the first elimination game of the series, with Game 5 scheduled for Friday in Los Angeles if necessary.

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PLAY TO PITCHING STRENGTHS

Replacing a reigning Cy Young Award winner is a difficult task, but the Padres managed to do so when Blake Snell left and Dylan Cease arrived. While Cease may not win the award, he led the Padres back to the playoffs with a 14-11 record and a 3.47 ERA. He also threw a no-hitter in July and had two consecutive scoreless starts in September. However, in Game 4, he will be looking to redeem himself after a poor performance in Game 1, where he gave up five runs in just 3 1/3 innings. During the regular season, he held the Dodgers to a 3.38 ERA in two starts.

The Dodgers, known for their strong pitching, have faced numerous injuries to their starters. Their best pitcher by the end of the season was Jack Flaherty, who didn't make his debut with the team until early August after a trade-deadline deal. The Dodgers will rely on their bullpen for Game 4, with rookie right-hander Landon Knack available to pitch multiple innings. In Game 1, the Dodgers' bullpen was crucial to their victory, allowing only two hits in six scoreless innings.

TOP PLAYERS

Both teams have a plethora of star players at the top of their lineups, but it is the Padres who have been getting the most out of their high-profile players recently. The Dodgers' pitchers will likely be cautious with Fernando Tatis Jr., who hit three home runs in the last two games and has a total of four home runs in the playoffs. Manny Machado enjoys playing against the Dodgers and has had a hit in each game of the series, but he injured his calf in his last at-bat in Game 3. Jurickson Profar had his best season in his 11th year and at 31 years old. While he has only hit four singles in five postseason games, he may be ready for a breakout performance.

DEFENSE IS KEY

The Padres' impressive defensive plays from Tatis, Profar, and Luis Arraez were the inspiration for their 10-2 victory in Game 2. In Game 3, the Dodgers struggled defensively, with first baseman Freddie Freeman throwing the ball at Machado, leading to a six-run rally. Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas attempted to eliminate the middleman in a double-play attempt in the same inning, but failed to get either runner. Adding to their defensive issues, Rojas aggravated a groin injury and left the game an inning later.

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50-50 CHANCE

With Freeman struggling at the top of the order and Max Muncy and Will Smith unable to produce at the bottom, the Dodgers will rely on superstar Shohei Ohtani, who is playing in his first career playoff series. In Game 1, Ohtani hit a three-run home run, leading the Dodgers to a 7-5 victory. However, he has only had one hit in the last two games and has struck out four times. The Dodgers have struggled to create consistent scoring opportunities, and they need Ohtani's power to generate runs.

HOME ADVANTAGE

In Game 2, a few Dodgers fans attempted to disrupt the game by throwing baseballs and trash onto the field. However, their plan backfired when the Padres used the 12-minute delay to refocus and went on to score six runs and hit four home runs in the final two innings, leading to a 12-2 victory. In Game 3, Padres fans did not cause any disruptions, and a record-breaking crowd of 47,744 was in attendance at Petco Park. After Game 3, Padres manager Mike Shildt praised the crowd, saying, "It was a great atmosphere in Petco tonight. The crowd was phenomenal. Clearly, I thought it was a difference-maker