Dodgers on a historical mission to win the NL West

Historians will tell you that the California cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego were all founded as part of the California mission chain started in 1769 by Father Juniper Serra under the direction of King Charles III of Spain.

The missions were built near the coast to establish towns, trade with sea faring ships and convert the native Indians to Christianity.

There were 21 missions in the chain but the missions in Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego produced the largest modern-day cities.

They didn’t play baseball in the 1700s but today’s San Diego Padres get their name from the Franciscan friars who pioneered the state.

Rather than battle for souls, today’s battle between the three cities is for supremacy in the National League West division of major league baseball.

The Dodgers have won the last two division championships but San Francisco owns the biggest prizes, having won three of the last five World Series titles.

Going into Sunday’s games, the Dodgers hold a 2.5 game lead over the Giants and a six-game bulge over the Padres, who they defeated 4-3 on Friday night.

San Diego opened the checkbook to upgrade their squad this season and figure to give the Dodgers and the Giants a run for their money in 2015.