Sun, Surf & Sluggers: San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Rivalry

When Do the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres Play Next?

Los Angeles Dodgers tickets and San Diego Padres tickets can be found on their respective team pages, along with schedule information.

Are the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres Rivals?

Yes, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres are rivals. Their rivalry stems from both teams belonging to the MLB National League West Division, as well as each being located in Southern California.

Who Are the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Biggest Rivals?

Besides the Padres, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ biggest rivals are divisional opponents the San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers also have a rivalry with the New York Yankees due in part to both teams being previously based in New York. The Dodgers moved from New York (Brooklyn) to Los Angeles in 1958.

Who Are the San Diego Padres’ Biggest Rivals?

Along with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Padres have a strong rivalry with the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies. These rivalries stem from all teams being a part of the NL West Division.

Game Results Between the Los Angeles Dodgers & San Diego Padres

As fierce rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres have a long-standing history of intense head-to-head matchups. Below is a table of their recent results that showcases the competitive nature of their rivalry:

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres History

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres’ rivalry dates back to the Padres’ inaugural MLB season in 1969. For more than 50 years, the Padres and Dodgers have shared both a division and a location in Southern California. The two teams are part of the National League West Division, and their home fields are approximately 125 miles apart, leading fans from both sides to come out in droves to support their favorite SoCal team. The rivalry between the Dodgers and Padres has been fairly one-sided throughout their history, with the Dodgers winning three World Series Championships to the Padres’ zero since first meeting. However, as of the past few years, the rivalry has been reignited due to heated playoff matchups.

The Padres started off poorly after entering the league, with constant losing seasons in the 1970s. In contrast, the Dodgers were a force, having made the World Series in 1974, 1977 and 1978, though they lost all three. It was the Dodgers and Padres’ geographical location that kept the rivalry going.

In the 1980s, the Dodgers and Padres finally overlapped when it came to skill. The Dodgers remained solid, with World Series wins in 1981 and 1988, and the Padres took their first steps in the right direction when they made their first World Series appearance in 1984. A memorable moment in the rivalry came in the 1980s when All-Star Dodgers’ pitcher Steve Garvey was signed to the Padres in 1983, which led to the Padres winning their first National League Pennant in 1984.

The 1990s and 2000s were underwhelming for both franchises. Neither team made it to the World Series, as both teams were in a rebuilding phase. One moment that stands out during this period is in 1996 when the Padres swept the Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium in the final three games of the season to win the NL West Division.

The 2010s was the decade of the bench-clearing brawls. Perhaps sensing the competition in the 2020s, the years 2013 and 2017 each saw huge fights break out between the Dodgers and Padres. In 2013, Zack Greinke of the Dodgers hit power-hitter Carlos Quentin of the Padres, who charged the mound and broke Greinke’s collarbone, inciting a team-on-team brawl. The year 2017 saw Dodgers manager Dave Roberts push Padres manager Andy Green after an altercation with an umpire, leading to another bench-clearing brawl between both teams and a one-game suspension for Roberts.

The year 2020 was the first time the Dodgers and the Padres met in the postseason. Although the Dodgers swept the Padres 3-0 in the NL Divisional Series, it was a promising momentum builder for the Padres. The Padres shocked the baseball world when they upset the Dodgers, who had the fourth most MLB regular season wins in history with 111, in the 2022 NL Divisional Series 3-1. Although the Padres lost in the NL Championship Series, defeating the number one Dodgers made up for the decades of punishment inflicted on them by their Southern California opponent.

Where Do the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres Play?

The Los Angeles Dodgers play their home games at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Opened in 1962, this stadium has a capacity of 56,000. Tailgating is not allowed in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium, so if you get there early, stop by one of these nearby bars & restaurants before the game starts.

The San Diego Padres play their home games at Petco Park in San Diego, California. Petco Park has a capacity of 42,445 and has been the Padres home since it opened in 2004.

Other MLB Rivalries