The enduring rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres is heating up once again in the 2024 National League Division Series (NLDS). With the Padres currently holding a 2-1 lead in the series, the stakes are sky-high as they are poised to eliminate the Dodgers for the second time in three seasons. This series paints a complex portrait of two franchises on divergent paths, yet deeply intertwined by history and competition.
Though the Dodgers have dominated the NL West, clinching the division title 11 of the last 12 times, the Padres have increasingly proven to be a formidable adversary. Reflecting on the 2019 season, the Padres had a disappointing 70-92 losing record, but they drastically turned things around. By 2020, they swept the Dodgers in the NLDS, and now, with the possibility of eliminating the Dodgers once more, they are affirming their rise to prominence.
A Tale of Two Teams
Much of the Padres’ success can be attributed to their powerhouse lineup and dynamic leadership. Manny Machado, a critical piece of their puzzle, signed with the team in 2019 after having played for the Dodgers in 2018. His history lends an added layer of drama to the rivalry. Padres’ manager Mike Shildt has been instrumental in cultivating a winning mentality, steering his team to be considered the top in baseball during the second half of the 2024 season.
The Dodgers, on the other hand, are no strangers to triumphs, evidenced by their impressive 111-win season in 2022. Yet, their encounters with the Padres have been challenging. They lost 8 out of 13 games to San Diego during the regular 2024 season, a statistic that underscores the Padres' growing dominance. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is candid about the Padres' role in this high-octane rivalry, noting, “Clearly that team over there, they like the villain-type kind of role and they feed off of that.”
The Emotional Dynamics
The tension between these two teams is palpable, as reflected in the emotions both on and off the field. Dodgers' player Max Muncy provided insight into the intense atmosphere during games, saying, “The atmosphere here plays off their emotion. And we've seen that for the last several years, even in regular season games. Just something as simple as a single, and you see the guy throwing the bat 30 feet in the air, that really gets the crowd going here.”
Muncy also highlighted the strategy that the Padres employ to rattle their opponents, stating, “That is kind of part of their game is trying to get under your skin and trying to have the emotion come out and get you to do something that you're not normally doing.”
Rivalry and Respect
While the rivalry is fierce, there exists a mutual respect between the teams and their leaders. An incident from the series drew mixed interpretations, with Padres manager Mike Shildt and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts offering differing views. Roberts remarked on the situation involving Manny Machado, “It was unsettling. Obviously I have a relationship with Manny from years past. There was intent behind it.” However, Shildt responded diplomatically, “I don't want to cast stones. I'm just not. The answer to your question is no. I don't think there was any intent at all with that.”
The Road Ahead
The Padres are on the cusp of achieving a significant milestone by potentially knocking out the Dodgers once more. For the Dodgers, the task ahead is formidable, yet not insurmountable given their experience and prior successes. Both teams are infused with talent and determination, setting the stage for thrilling baseball spectacles.
As fans and players alike are swept into this emotionally charged rivalry, the story of the Dodgers and Padres is far from over. Whether witnessing the continuation of the Padres’ ascendancy or a Dodgers comeback, this NLDS series is yet another chapter in the compelling saga of two baseball powerhouses at their peak.