The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers experienced a heated confrontation during a recent game after Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a pitch, prompting benches to clear and managers Mike Shildt and Dave Roberts to confront each other. Baseball Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman, now a senior advisor to baseball operations with the Padres, reflected on the intensifying rivalry, noting its ‘old-school feel’ and the deep passion for winning.
The feud between the two teams has escalated significantly, with recent playoff matchups serving as a backdrop for the growing animosity. The Dodgers and Padres have met in the playoffs in three of the last five postseasons, with the Dodgers sweeping the Padres 3-0 in the 2020 NLDS en route to a World Series title. In the 2022 NLDS, the Padres defeated the Dodgers in four games to advance to the NLCS, and in the 2024 NLDS, the Padres led 2-1 before the Dodgers rallied to win another World Series. This history of intense competition has only heightened the tension between the teams.
The rivalry has also spilled over into regular-season games, with the Dodgers leading the NL West by 3½ games over the second-place San Francisco Giants, while the Padres trail by 5½ games. The two teams have played seven regular-season games this season, with the Dodgers winning five. The incidents of retaliation, including pitchers hitting Shohei Ohtani with pitches in response to Tatis being hit, have further underscored the emotional stakes of the feud. Hoffman noted that such actions are often a result of defending star players and perceived injustices, even though they are within the rules of the game.