The Los Angeles Dodgers returned to the site of last year’s postseason heartbreak and took two of three from the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. The latest matchup had a playoff-like feel to it as well, with sell-out crowds for all three games.
San Diego won the series opener and trolled L.A. by displaying a photo of Clayton Kershaw crying on the scoreboard in left field. Mookie Betts was also the subject of a derogatory sign during Saturday’s contest.
The Dodgers responded by winning the next two games and expanded their lead in the National League West standings. The club now holds a 1.5-game lead over the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks and three-game lead over the Padres.
Julio Urías, who took a no-decision in Sunday’s series finale, shrugged off the Padres’ attempts at getting under the Dodgers’ skin and believes they got the last laugh, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
“The ones who laugh last,” Urías said in Spanish, “laugh best.”
The Dodgers-Padres rivalry has been growing over the years, which manager Dave Roberts acknowledged during the offseason. The matchups have been somewhat one-sided in recent seasons, but that changed when San Diego eliminated L.A. in the NL Division Series.
It was a monumental feat for the Padres, who have continued to improve their roster in an effort of closing the gap on the Dodgers. The teams will face off in another three-set at Dodger Stadium this weekend, and in total, have 10 more matchups during the regular season.
Dodgers prevented Roberts from commenting on Padres trolling Kershaw
When asked to comment on the Padres’ trolling, Kershaw put the onus on himself to pitch better in order to avoid being susceptible to such treatment.
As for Roberts, he said he could not discuss the matter but sided with Kershaw’s messaging.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
