The moments that helped ignite the Padres-Dodgers rivalry are as thrilling as the games themselves.
Currently, the NL West rivals are battling it out in their third playoff series in five years, with the San Diego Padres leading the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 in the NLDS after a nail-biting 6-5 victory in Game 3.
While Game 3 showcased a close contest, it lacked the intense drama of Game 2, where the Padres triumphed 10-2. That game was marked by heated exchanges between players and unfortunate incidents involving fans throwing objects at Padres athletes.
As the Padres aim to eliminate the Dodgers in Game 4 (scheduled for 9:07 p.m. ET on FS1 and the FOX Sports app), it’s fitting to revisit the key moments that have fueled one of Major League Baseball’s most captivating rivalries.
September 2020
During the COVID-shortened 2020 season, the Dodgers, a perennial contender, faced a new threat from the Padres. As San Diego sought to claim the NL West, tensions escalated in a September matchup.
In that game, former Padres outfielder Trent Grisham hit a solo home run off Clayton Kershaw, relishing the moment. He admired his shot, stared down Kershaw, and taunted the Dodgers’ dugout as he rounded the bases.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his displeasure with Grisham’s antics post-game, emphasizing the need for respect among players.
“I don’t mind guys admiring a homer; certainly, it’s a big game, big hit,” Roberts remarked. “But I just felt to overstay at home plate, against a guy like Clayton, who’s got the respect of everyone in the big leagues for what he’s done in this game, I just took exception to that.”
2020 NLDS
Although the Dodgers clinched the NL West title in 2020, the postseason saw them square off against the Padres.
In Game 2, the Dodgers celebrated Cody Bellinger’s spectacular catch, leading to a heated exchange with Manny Machado, who took offense to the Dodgers’ exuberance.
Despite the intensity, the Dodgers ultimately swept the Padres in that series.
April 2021
In 2021, the Padres aimed to dethrone the Dodgers, bolstering their roster with acquisitions like Blake Snell and Yu Darvish. The Dodgers responded by signing Trevor Bauer, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner.
Their matchups were filled with excitement, including clutch defensive plays and a notable incident where benches cleared after a hit-by-pitch involving Jorge Mateo.
In a memorable moment, Fernando Tatis Jr. hit two home runs off Kershaw, celebrating with flair that echoed his father’s historic two-grand-slam inning at Dodger Stadium.
Tatis later expressed that it was “payback time” for Bauer’s spring training antics, which Bauer took in stride.
2022 NLDS
After a disappointing 2021 season, the Padres returned to the playoffs in 2022, outbidding the Dodgers for superstar Juan Soto.
The two teams met again in the postseason, but the 2022 NLDS was marked by a surprising calm. Despite the Dodgers’ impressive 111-win season, the Padres upset them 3-1, clinching a spot in the NLCS.
May 2023
In May 2023, a playful jab added to the rivalry when the Padres displayed a meme of a crying Kershaw after defeating him at Petco Park. While some viewed it as disrespectful, Kershaw shrugged it off, stating, “if you don’t like it, you just got to pitch better.”
However, the Padres faced a downturn after the incident, losing five consecutive games to the Dodgers and struggling as the season progressed.
April 2024
In April 2024, the rivalry reignited when Jurickson Profar confronted a high pitch from Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone. The exchange escalated, leading to a benches-clearing incident.
Following the game, Dodgers catcher Will Smith downplayed Profar’s significance, but Profar responded by delivering a crucial three-run double in their next matchup.
His performance earned him an All-Star selection, and Smith later apologized for his earlier remarks.
Game 2 of 2024 NLDS
As the 2024 postseason unfolded, the Padres and Dodgers faced off again. After a fierce regular season, the Padres secured a wild-card spot, leading to heightened anticipation for their NLDS matchup.
In Game 2, Tatis Jr. hit a home run, but Profar’s highlight-reel catch robbed Betts of a potential homer, escalating the rivalry’s intensity.
As tensions flared, Machado’s toss to the Dodgers’ dugout prompted Roberts to label the incident “unsettling.” Despite the heated atmosphere, the Padres emerged victorious, winning 10-2 in Game 2 and taking the series lead.
