The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers are playing in the National League Division Series for only the third time in MLB postseason history, with each of the meetings taking place in the past five years.
The Dodgers swept the Padres in the 2020 NLDS, but were eliminated in four games in 2022.
The Dodgers have been the higher seed in each matchup and included in that this season was finishing with the best record in baseball. That guaranteed the Dodgers home-field advantage through the World Series.
Despite that, many pundits have touted the Padres as arguably the team to beat and a less-than-ideal NLDS opponent for the Dodgers. Such discourse, coupled with recent postseason shortcomings, appear to be fueling L.A.
“I see some more hunger, I see some more edge. I like that,” manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday. “Not to say guys weren’t prepared, trying or cared, but there’s a different level of intensity.
“That kind of sour taste that you have when you make an early exit from the postseason, our guys are tired of it and this is another opportunity. So yeah, I do sense that edge, which I love.”
The 2024 NLDS begins with Game 1 at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 5:38 p.m. PT. Game 2 has a start time of 5:03 p.m. on Sunday, which was previously announced as 5:08.
Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, in that order, are the Dodgers’ NLDS starters for the first two games.
The NLDS shifts to Petco Park for Game 3 on Tuesday, and if necessary, Game 4 is going to be in San Diego as well on Wednesday.
Games 1 and 2 of the NLDS will be exclusively televised by FS1. All NLDS games will air on FS1, aside from a potential Game 5, which is on FOX.
Joe Davis and John Smoltz are going to call all guaranteed and potential Dodgers postseason games in 2024 due to being assigned the NLDS, and being the exclusive duo for the NL Championship Series and World Series.
Padres vs. Dodgers NLDS start times and schedule
Saturday, Oct. 5: Game 1, 5:38 p.m. PT, Dodger Stadium, FS1
Sunday, Oct. 6: Game 2, 5:03 p.m. PT, Dodger Stadium, FS1
Tuesday, Oct. 8: Game 3, 6:08 p.m. PT, Petco Park, FS1
Wednesday, Oct. 9: Game 4*, 6:08 p.m. PT, Petco Park, FS1
Friday, Oct. 11: Game 5*, 5:08 p.m. PT, Dodger Stadium, FOX
*if necessary
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