Padres, Braves, Both Wild-Card Hopefuls, Meet at Petco with Return of Bogaerts on Horizon

It might be too early to call it a wild-card clash, but the Padres host the Atlanta Braves beginning Friday ahead of the All-Star Break.

The Braves lead the race for one of three National League wild card spots, with St. Louis claiming the second and the Padres bringing up the rear – and the Mets hot on their heels.

The Friars will enter the series having lost four straight – the final two to close out last weekend’s set with the Diamondbacks and both games during a quick visit Tuesday and Wednesday by the American League West-leading Seattle Mariners.

When they resume play, after an off day Thursday, the Padres will send Randy Vásquez, Matt Waldron and Dylan Cease to the mound. But some good news? When they last faced the Braves in May, they took three out of four from the defending NL East champs.

One Padre who hasn’t been seen for a while might be back during the Braves’ series – Xander Bogaerts, who suffered a fractured shoulder nearly two months ago.

He has completed a rehab stint in El Paso and added some at-bats Wednesday and Thursday in Lake Elsinore.

“I’m getting there, getting close,” he told MLB.com.

Seats remain for the weekend, starting at $39, with the best availability Saturday and Sunday.