The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers have been playing nice with one another for far too long. The heat between the teams has been turned up with the antics that took place in a late regular season series at Petco Park and their showdown in last October’s Division Series. Thus, the Padres and Dodgers have become baseball’s next great rivalry.
Do not be surprised if neither side has much to say about the other once spring training begins. The Padres will say they respect the Dodgers and vice-versa. But deep down, we know the truth, they dislike one another with a passion.
The San Diego Padres/Los Angeles Dodgers Rivalry Came to a Boiling Point in 2020
This rivalry has been simmering for years, but it came to a boiling point in 2020. The Padres were tired of the Dodgers making Petco Park their summer vacation home. The stands were filled with Dodger Blue disciples when fans were allowed to attend games. Their behavior was snobbish with a taste of entitlement on the side, especially to those supporting the Brown and Yellow. Collectivity, the Padres (players and fans) felt they were guests in their own home.
Then came that faithful September series in San Diego, which has taken the relationship to an 11 on the sports rivalry Richter scale.
Grisham’s HR and Graterol Theatrics are the Rivalry’s Highlights
The hostility between the teams escalated after Trent Grisham’s titanic home run off Clayton Kershaw that tied the series opener in the sixth inning, which the Padres would eventually win 7-2. The Dodgers dugout did not appreciate Grisham’s bat flip coming out of the batter’s box. And of course, they let him know about their displeasure verbally as he rounded third base. Quickly, Grisham shouted back to show the Friars were not going to intimidated inside their own park.
Let’s fast forward to Game 2 of the NL Division Series, Padres Fernando Tatis Jr smashes a pitch to straightaway centerfield. Dodgers Cody Bellinger tracked the ball before jumping and making a spectacular catch over the eight-foot fence. Great play, it changed the momentum in the series. So, where is the beef between the teams?
Well, it was the theatrics of Dodgers reliever Brusdar Graterol. After the catch, he threw his glove and cap towards the dugout. Then, blew kisses at the direction of Padres Manny Machado, who barked back at the pitcher. It led to both benches emptying onto the field before cooler heads prevailed. That is perfect recipe for a good old-fashioned baseball rivalry.
San Diego Padres Closed the Talent Level Gap with Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have always declared the Padres are not a legitimate rival until they beat them on the field. You cannot argue with that statement as the Dodgers defeated the Friars six out of 10 regular season meetings and swept them in the Division series last season. The Padres were out-scored 71-45 in those 13 games.
Padres general manager AJ Preller has done an excellent job of closing the gap between the two rivals by acquiring key additions to his starting rotation this offseason. First, Preller traded for Blake Snell from the Tampa Bay Rays, then traded for Yu Darvish from the Chicago Cubs, then traded for Joe Musgrove from the Pittsburgh Pirates. All in the attempt to put an imprint on the rivalry. Clearly, the Padres are screaming “can you see me, now” at the Dodgers. Time will tell if any ground has been yielded by the champs.
The next act in this rivalry will commence with seven games (three in San Diego and four in Los Angeles) played a week apart in the first month of the 2021 season. The stakes will be higher than ever before as the Padres are poised to dethrone the Dodgers and end their eight-year reign atop of the NL West. But the Friars cannot get too caught up with the back-and-forth that will take place between the two teams. The champ’s past tactics must not work as the Padres need to remain focus on their lofty goal this season.
Get ready for good baseball to be played when the San Diego Padres and Dodgers meet this summer. Maybe, even some fireworks in the process as well.