The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres faced each other this week for the first time since the 2024 National League Division Series.
Matchups between the teams have taken on added significance over recent years, with the Dodgers and Padres meeting three times in the playoffs since 2020. L.A. was victorious on two of those occasions, including both years when they won the World Series.
The Dodgers and Padres once again have high expectations this year, which should make for some entertaining baseball.
“I think the familiarity of the core from both sides for the most part remaining intact adds to the flavor, the history, and I think the familiarity,” manager Dave Roberts said.
“I think the fans can certainly relate to the same players playing against one another, the players can look across the diamond and see familiar faces that have been through this rivalry or whatever you want to call it. I certainly think it adds to the flavor of the series.”
There has been some debate among fans whether the Dodgers and Padres are a true rivalry, but Roberts believes that is an easy answer.
“I think it’s become a rivalry because the stakes have been higher the last few years,” he said.
Roberts used to be hesitant to say the Dodgers and Padres were rivals, but changed his tune after the 2022 season.
“I just have a hard time believing something can be a rivalry when there’s no stakes. I think with the talent they’ve accrued and the way they’ve played over the last few years, the stakes have gotten higher. That’s a compliment to their organization and those guys. I can see that now,” Roberts explained.
Dave Roberts downplays Dodgers’ series with Padres
Although he reiterated that the Dodgers and Padres are legitimate rivals, Roberts stopped short of saying their series this week had any added significance.
After the Dodgers won the rubber match at Petco Park, Roberts said the only significance was the series opener so that it would put the team in a strong position moving forward.
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