The Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres currently have the most heated rivalry in baseball.
Neither team likes one another, and we’ve seen countless examples of explosive celebrations, hit-by-pitches, and every single scenario one could think of on a baseball diamond featuring both squads. Whenever the two square off versus one another, things tend to get ratcheted up from an emotion and tension standpoint.
There’s been no shortage of drama between the two teams this year. Due to a recent collapse by the Dodgers, the standings reflect a neck-and-neck race for the NL West Division title. There’s a real possibility the two squads will be going down to the last week of the regular season to determine who gains the division crown.
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When appearing on MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM, San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt was asked whether he’d want to see the Dodgers in the postseason again this year. Shildt’s answer might’ve surprised more than a handful of people.
“Absolutely, that’d be great. We’d love that. That would be fun. That would be really cool,” Shildt said. “So yes, of course I’d love to play them again in the playoffs. Ideally for the National League pennant.”
Shildt was laughing when asked this question initially. There may have been a little tongue-in-cheek element to his response. Having said that, there’s surely some sense of revenge at play pertaining to the Padres wanting another crack at the Dodgers.
The big brother/little brother moniker is something those in Los Angeles latch onto when speaking about the Padres. Last year’s thrilling five-game series in the NLDS showcased arguably the two best teams in baseball going toe-to-toe with one another. Each pitch was filled with drama, and the series as a whole truly was must-see television.
While Shildt and the Friars understandably may want another shot at the Dodgers in the postseason, an old and famous axiom must be given in this circumstance — especially considering that LA is the reigning World Series Champions and 9-4 against San Diego this season:
Be careful what you wish for.
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Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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8 Responses
Well, they already had rally towels 30 games before the playoffs, so I guess they are trying to get ready.
This article is BS. Any hate is primarily coming from the Padres. And I suspect that is only from a couple of players. The last two series we not particularly heated. Just good baseball. I personally have no love for Machado just because he’s a troublemaker. However he is a good player as are most of the players on that team. The Dodgers need to step it up if they’re going to beat them again……Which I truly hope they do!
8 rings vs. 0 rings. Not a rivalry in the traditional baseball sense. Like they have two other times in their 60 whatever year accomplish nothing history, they’ll have 5 or so good years and then fade into mediocrity. The window will close much quicker on San Diego than the Dodgers as they’re a smaller market and if they don’t win it all soon, they will likely revert to less spending as has been their normal MO. They have the talent, but will they rise when they need to? TBD. And, seriously, what is he supposed to say, “We want to play anybody but LA.”
I shouldn’t, but, I like Mike Shildt. When he was manager of the Cardinals, he did a “top notch” job in spite of what incompetent management did to the team. He became the Cardinal manager half way thru the 2018 season. The full three years he was in St. Louis, he guided them to the playoffs every year. His last year was 2021 when his team won 17 games in a row and made the playoffs for the third consecutive year. How did the Cardinals thank him? They fired him! That says two things, Shildt is a good manager and the Cardinal’s management is pathetic. Also, Shildt made the playoffs in his first year as manager of the Padres and has a decent chance of doing it again this year. For the record, my two least favorite teams are the Cardinals and Padres.
All fair and appreciated. The backstory on why the Cardinals fired him is interesting and is readily available with a Google search. There seemed a lot of animosity between Shildt and the GM and their after-season review involved a lot of shouting and throwing of things (by Schildt). To be completely fair. even though St. Louis has struggled since he left, sometimes a different direction with unknown results ensues even after modest success. Look no further than our own beloved LA Dodgers organization. Mattingly managed them to the NLCS, NLDS, and NLDS in three consecutive seasons and was summarily dismissed. Roberts did the same thing in 2021-2023 season, even worse, was swept in the NLDS both years by teams that finished 22 games (San Diego in 2022) and 16 games (Arizona in 2023). They fired Mattingly and retained Roberts in the same situation, and we were rewarded with Roberts doing a surprisingly effective job (finally) at managing in the post season last year.
As usual, Mike H makes good comments. However, John Mozeliak has proven thru the years to be arguably the most incompetent general manager (or whatever term is used now days) in MLB. The trades he has made and the money he has wasted on free agents is historical (maybe a slight exaggeration). Also, he’s the one responsible for hiring Oliver Marmol to manage the team. In a recent poll of major league players, Bud Black and Oliver Marmol were “voted” the main two managers that players do not want to play for. (I believe that a preposition is a perfectly good word to end a sentence with). In the case of Mattingly, Joe Torre had a lot influence on the hiring of Mattingly. I don’t remember why, perhaps the lack of experience, but Mattingly was not the first choice to be hired as the Dodger manager. Also, I don’t think it is fair to compare the Cardinals business structure to the Dodgers. Just my opinion.
Thanks Glen and appreciated. Considering I dislike St. Louis, the team with the most WS wins in the NL and second most overall behind the Yankees, I’m not disappointed to see them struggle. That they’ve also beaten our boys 4 out of 6 post season series helps that as well.
I wasn’t trying to compare their business models, but see how it could have come across that way. Bottom line to me is that I agree Shildt is a good manager and at least for this season, San Diego has positioned themselves for a potential long run in the post season with offseason and more recent trade deadline moves. At least at the deadline, LAD did not make themselves better, but weaker IMO. Letting May go was the act of a seller, not a team trying to defend their title. That we are a month away from the end of the regular season and still struggling with a pitching and a consistent starting line up, both beyond the injuries, is baffling.
As far as this article, what else is Shildt supposed to say? That the Padres are afraid to face LAD in the post season? Preposterous and ridiculous, so one should expect him to say exactly what he did.
Mike, we usually agree on most topics concerning the Dodgers. One topic on which we will always agree is our common “love” for the St. Louis Cardinals!!!!!