Games between the Dodgers and Padres have taken on added significance in recent years due to increased tension and three postseason meetings since 2020. Manager Dave Roberts called the matchup a legitimate rivalry after previously hesitating. Commissioner Rob Manfred compared the rivalry's feel to Yankees–Red Sox. Some players, like Max Muncy, still consider other teams the Dodgers' primary rival. Bench-clearing incidents occurred after Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit, leading to suspensions for managers and pitchers. The Padres pursued roster upgrades like Mason Miller at the trade deadline as they chase their first NL West title since 2006.
During his appearance on the ESPN broadcast for the MLB Little League Classic, commissioner Rob Manfred said games between the Dodgers and Padres are beginning to have the same feel as the rivalry between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, via Foul Territory: "I think the Dodger-Padre rivalry is getting into that same zone that the Yankees and the Red Sox are, and have been."
In any case, there has certainly been no love lost between the Dodgers and Padres in recent years. Earlier this season at Dodger Stadium, benches cleared when Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a pitch. The incident led to Roberts and Padres manager Mike Shildt needing to be separated by players. They were later suspended for their actions, along with Robert Suarez, who hit Shohei Ohtani with a pitch.
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