The rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres is heating up yet again, and this time, in the high-stakes 2024 National League Division Series (NLDS). As the teams face off, the Padres currently hold a commanding 2-1 lead in the series, putting them on the brink of eliminating the Dodgers for the second time in three seasons. For a team that has clinched the NL West division title 11 out of the last 12 times, the Dodgers find themselves in unfamiliar territory, battling to extend their postseason journey.
The Padres, historically overshadowed by their neighbors to the north, have transformed into fierce competitors. The transition began after a challenging 2019 season, where they ended with a disappointing 70-92 record. Since then, the team has undergone a metamorphosis, now touted as possibly the best team in baseball, particularly during the latter half of the current season. This resurgence is spearheaded by key players like Manny Machado, who joined the Padres in 2019 after a stint with the Dodgers in 2018, and is currently under the stewardship of manager Mike Shildt.
"Clearly that team over there, they like the villain-type kind of role and they feed off of that," Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts remarked about the Padres' approach to the rivalry. This sentiment echoes across both teams; the palpable tension and high emotions are ever-present, especially in the atmosphere that engulfs their matchups. Dodgers player Max Muncy observed, "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."
The Padres, with a recent history of dominating moments, have proven to be formidable opponents. Notably, they swept the Dodgers in the 2020 NLDS and won three consecutive games in the 2022 NLDS after dropping the first, showcasing that they can tip the scales in their favor when it matters the most. In the regular 2024 season, they bested the Dodgers in 8 out of their 13 encounters, clearly establishing themselves as a thorn in the Dodgers' side.
The ongoing series has taken on an emotional roller-coaster dynamic. Echoing the intensity of previous matchups, Max Muncy reflected on the Padres' strategy by 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." Muncy's comments hint at the psychological warfare ingrained in their encounters, as well as the energy flowing from the stands.
Despite the Padres' recent successes, the Dodgers remain a baseball powerhouse. They are led by seasoned players and guided by the steadfast Dave Roberts, who knows his way around high-pressure postseason play. However, the challenge they face is not just about the on-field dynamics but also handling the narrative and emotional pull that has come to characterize the rivalry against the Padres. The Dodgers' remarkable 111-win season in 2022 stands as testament to their potential and tenacity, a reminder that they are never to be underestimated.
In this iteration of the NLDS, narratives have converged, with the Dodgers seeking to reclaim their dominance and the Padres fighting to reinforce their newfound strength. While Mike Shildt downplays any animosity, commenting, "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 undercurrents of rivalry are irrefutable. Dave Roberts adds his perspective, sharing, "It was unsettling. Obviously I have a relationship with Manny from years past. There was intent behind it," hinting at the deep-rooted connections and tensions that color these games.
As both teams prepare for the next pivotal game, the anticipation is palpable. Will the Padres capitalize on their current lead, or will the Dodgers draw on their championship pedigree to mount a comeback? In a series that has already delivered drama and electric moments, baseball fans can only watch and wait as the saga continues on the diamond.