The 2024 National League Division Series (NLDS) has reignited the fierce rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. With the Padres holding a 2-1 lead, they find themselves in a prime position to oust the Dodgers for a second time in three years, a feat they previously accomplished with a sweep in the 2020 NLDS. Meanwhile, the Dodgers, boasting an impressive track record of clinching the NL West division title in 11 of the last 12 seasons, are battling for survival.
A Storied Rivalry
This rivalry is steeped in recent history, marked by dramatic encounters and intense emotions. The Padres' potential victory over the Dodgers echoes back to 2022, when they won three consecutive games after losing Game 1 to seize the series. Max Muncy of the Dodgers captures the charged atmosphere succinctly: "The atmosphere here plays off their emotion...you see the guy throwing the bat 30 feet in the air, that really gets the crowd going here." His words reflect years of high-stakes games where emotions run high and even a simple single can electrify a stadium.
Padres Rising
The Padres have transformed significantly from their 70-92 losing season in 2019 to being considered perhaps the best team in baseball in the second half of the current season. Their success is not without strategy, as hinted by Muncy's observation: "That is kind of part of their game is trying to get under your skin and trying to have the emotion come out and get you to do something that you're not normally doing." This tactic, and the Padres' ability to thrive on it, seems to set them apart in this current clash.
Leadership and Strategy
At the helm, Padres manager Mike Shildt exudes confidence and defends his team against insinuations of unsportsmanlike intent. As he remarked, "I don't want to cast stones. I'm just not. The answer to your question is no. I don't think there was any intent at all with that." His leadership seems to channel the Padres’ focus and resilience as they pursue another victory over their formidable rivals.
On the opposite side, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is well aware of the dynamic at play. Reflecting on an incident involving Padres star Manny Machado, a former Dodger himself, Roberts stated, "It was unsettling. Obviously, I have a relationship with Manny from years past. There was intent behind it." Yet, Roberts is quick to acknowledge that, "Clearly that team over there, they like the villain-type kind of role and they feed off of that."
Past Connections
Manny Machado’s journey has been compelling since leaving the Dodgers in 2018 and signing with the Padres in 2019. His presence adds another layer to the rivalry, melding personal history with competitive spirit, and Dodgers fans have not forgotten his departure.
As the drama of the 2024 NLDS unfolds, both managers and players are acutely aware of the stakes. The Padres’ potential triumph over the Dodgers this season would be a crowning achievement for a team that has evolved into a formidable force. For the Dodgers, it's a fight to uphold a legacy of dominance in the division, underscored by their remarkable 111-win season in 2022. With the Padres having won 8 of the 13 regular season face-offs this year, the stage is set for a battle that resonates far beyond the scoreboard, captured in every pitch, swing, and strategy deployed on the field.
As this storied rivalry continues to unravel, both teams are acutely aware that every moment in this series doesn’t just count for the current season, but it also serves to etch deeper narratives into the annals of baseball history. The emotional and palpable tension in each game ensures that fans are in for a spectacle that showcases not just skill and strategy, but also the raw, unfiltered passion that makes baseball such a beloved sport.