The San Diego Padres had a winning record to open July for the first time in nearly a decade, and despite a four-game skid, perhaps they will have even more to be optimistic about when they begin a four-game series in Los Angeles on Thursday against the Dodgers. The Padres will welcome back right-hander Dinelson Lamet for the first time in 15 months. If Lamet looks anything like he did in his rookie season of 2017, the Padres can count on even more winning.