Are the Dodgers and Padres a Rivalry?

Yes. A rivalry between the Dodgers and Padres exists. The Dodgers fans that stooped low enough to throw baseballs and other objects onto the field only proved the rivalry is alive and real.

Fans are invested in the National League Division Series matchup. The Padres have earned the reputation to be a rival. It’s not a deep-seated rivalry like the oneswith the San Francisco Giants, or the one between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. But this rivalry is one of the most relevant in today’s MLB. Dodger fans on X seem to agree:

Following Game 2, Miguel Rojas admitted there was a rivalry between the two clubs.

“I feel like the rivalry, it’s good for baseball,” Rojas said. “Everybody’s excited about this series. Both fan bases want to win. We understand that it’s part of a big sporting event, 54,000 people. A lot of fans and all that. But we as a team, we have to play better baseball. It’s not about if we do something on the field with the fan base and all that. The game has to be played on the field and we have to overcome this one and win two more games.”

The Padres are the stumbling block the Dodgers have struggled to get over. The 2022 NLDS was evidence of that, and after back-to-back losses in the 2024 NLDS, the Dodgers are again on the brink of elimination.

The Game 1 victory was long forgotten after San Diego hammered the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium Sunday. The Padres embarrassed the Dodgers and they got away with it. Not only did their bats go off, but players like Jurickson Profar and Fernando Tatis Jr. mocked and taunted the Dodgers.

There were no heroes at Chavez Ravine Sunday night. Only angry fans and a lifeless Los Angeles lineup.

Then, in Game 3, it was more of the same for the Dodgers in a 6-5 loss.

The Dodgers will need to fight back, or their season could end Wednesday at Petco Park. It would be the second time in three years the Padres knock the Dodgers out of the playoffs. It would solidify the Padres and Dodgers as bitter rivals in this era of baseball.

So it’s time for fans to admit it. The Dodgers and Padres are a rivalry. And right now, the Padres are beating L.A.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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