Padres Superstar Says They Were The ‘Better Team’ in NLDS vs Dodgers
The National League Division Series was a dogfight until the Los Angeles Dodgers ultimately claimed the series. However, many players on the San Diego Padres still believe their team could have won the World Series.
After losing Game 1, the Padres won back-to-back games. San Diego dominated Los Angeles by eight runs in Game 2 and were able to maintain a lead despite outfielder Teoscar Hernández’s grand slam that put the Dodgers down by one in Game 3.
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But then the Dodgers responded with back-to-back victories to win the series in Game 5. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ bullpen strategy held the Padres scoreless in both games — and for the final 24 innings of the series.
“I mean, it stinks,” Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts said to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. “We had a really good chance. A great chance. I thought we were a better team. We just didn’t win.”
The Dodgers prevailed through the postseason to win the World Series and have since completed a dominant MLB offseason.
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Meanwhile, the Padres have lost multiple key pieces from their 2024 postseason roster, including outfielder Jurickson Profar, third baseman Donovan Solano, and catcher Kyle Higashioka.
Adding salt to the wound of the postseason, San Diego “lost” two superstar pitchers to the Dodgers this offseason. Reliever Tanner Scott signed a four-year deal with Los Angeles, while Japanese-born free agent starting pitcher Roki Sasaki chose to begin his MLB career with the Dodgers.
Due to the Padres’ limited spending budget, San Diego struggled to make major moves this offseason.
The team may be forced to trade top MLB talent to cut some payroll. Reliever Robert Suarez and starting pitchers Dylan Cease and Michael King have been rumored as potential options.
Despite the obstacles San Diego has faced since losing the NLDS, the Padres have acquired some free agents. Starting pitcher Nick Pivetta, former Dodgers outfielder Jason Heyward, and utility man Connor Joe will be impactful additions in 2025.
The Padres may not be equipped with the same roster as they were in 2024, but their hunger for redemption may be their driving force for another postseason run.
More news: Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Surprised With How Good Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Already Looks
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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Of course they were the better team. That’s why they finished second, 5 games behind and had a run differential 65 runs less than the Dodgers.
They were a good team, certainly, and you’ve got to believe in your team, but c’mon, look at the placement, look at the numbers and shut your mouth.
Every MLB team has regrets over losing a big chance at winning the Pennant. The Padres should be focusing on the new year. The Dodgers and their fans can tell you all about, ” wait til next year “. The Padres will never win a WS if they continue to dwell on past defeats.
Profar intimidated in left field. Thugs or homies in left field threw ball back and almost
hit Profar ….freaking him out. He was packing at the fans and our dodger regulars hood rats threatened him. This immediately affected the Padres. Energy was gone and our hood rats …gangsters. low life won. Energy immediately shifted Dodgers. The Hood prevailed. Gangsters and hood rats or hustlers deserve credit. Seriously. They also beat down the Border Bros. And Messico. Norte…
Fact. The blood was scared of the homies of lala land..
If they, like the Yankees, were the better team as they claim… they would’ve won. Man… the rest of the leagur can’t handle the Dodgers winning lol!
Well, they were the best team we faced in the playoffs. Better than the Yankers and Mutts.
All his remarks show what we already knew. The Madres are sore losers.
Padre may be right. Dodgers peaked at right time. Freeman. Unreal. Injured.
Our left field bleachers hustler gangsters changed Padre momementum. Intimidating Profar big time. Profar scared. Stopped his mouth. Key. Energy shift to Dodgers.