The rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres has reached a fever pitch in recent years, transforming from a regional squabble into one of the hottest storylines in Major League Baseball. While some, like Dodgers infielder Max Muncy, still argue that the true rivalry lies with the San Francisco Giants, the prevailing sentiment on both sides of Southern California is clear: Dodgers-Padres is the matchup everyone circles on the calendar.
Just ask Mookie Betts, who weighed in on the debate in a recent interview with FanSided's Adam Weinrib. “San Diego probably has more aggression toward the Dodgers. San Francisco... they just don't like the Dodgers. It's pure dislike. [...] I think San Diego is more like a hatred toward the Dodgers. [...] These people genuinely don't like us,” Betts said, pulling no punches about the current state of affairs between the two clubs.
The animosity isn’t just talk. Since Betts arrived in Los Angeles in 2020, the Padres have emerged as a legitimate threat to the Dodgers’ dominance in the National League West. The rivalry has spilled over from regular-season intensity to the postseason, with the two clubs meeting three times in the playoffs since 2020. The Dodgers have taken two of those series, each time going on to win the World Series, while the Padres still savor their 2022 NLDS victory, a high-water mark for a franchise still seeking its first championship.
On the field, the rivalry is palpable. There have been hit batters, heated exchanges between managers, and even the occasional bench-clearing incident. The Dodgers, who have long lorded over the division, have found themselves pushed to the brink by San Diego on more than one occasion. This season, Los Angeles even surrendered their NL West lead to the Padres a few times, stoking the flames of competition and giving Padres fans plenty to cheer about.
“Maybe it's an inferiority complex that keeps the Dodgers at the top of mind for Padres players — trade deadline acquisition Mason Miller said that one of the first things his new teammates told him when he arrived in San Diego was that they didn't like the Dodgers,” reported FanSided. That kind of candor is rare in professional sports, but it speaks volumes about just how much this matchup means to both sides.
Yet, as much as the rivalry dominates headlines, the business of baseball rolls on. For the Padres, the end of the 2025 regular season brought significant roster changes, none more notable than the departure of utility man Trenton Brooks. The San Diego native, who joined the Padres on a minor league contract after a brief stint with the San Francisco Giants in 2024, elected free agency after being designated for assignment and outrighted to Triple-A El Paso on August 4.
Brooks’ journey with the Padres was a rollercoaster. He made his debut against none other than the Dodgers on June 16, a fitting introduction given the rivalry’s intensity. The very next day, Brooks etched his name into the club’s history books with his first major league home run—a two-run shot against Los Angeles in an 8-6 loss. It may not have been a game-winner, but for Brooks, it was a milestone moment.
His time in the majors this season was limited—just 25 games, during which he recorded 11 hits and a .146 batting average, with a .454 OPS. While those numbers don’t leap off the stat sheet, Brooks made his presence felt in Triple-A El Paso, where he posted a robust .879 OPS over 90 games, slugged 15 home runs, and batted .275 through 324 at-bats. That kind of production turned heads, even if it didn’t translate into a long-term spot with the big league club.
Brooks’ primary position with the Padres was left field, an area of uncertainty for much of the first half of the season. However, with the arrival of Ramon Laureano, the Padres appear to have found a more permanent solution, making a reunion with Brooks in 2026 unlikely. It’s a tough break for a local player who dreamed of making an impact for his hometown team, but such is the business of baseball.
As the Padres look ahead to the offseason, the focus is expected to shift toward the pitching staff. Dylan Cease’s contract is set to expire, while both Michael King and Robert Suarez are likely to opt out, leaving significant holes to fill. The front office will have to make some tough decisions if the Padres hope to keep pace with the Dodgers and maintain their newfound competitive edge.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers continue to relish their role as the team everyone loves to hate—or, in the case of the Padres, hates with a particular passion. The rivalry has given fans no shortage of drama, and while a Dodgers-Padres National League Championship Series remains a long shot, it’s the kind of matchup that would have all of baseball buzzing.
History may still favor the Dodgers-Giants rivalry in terms of tradition and longevity, but the present belongs to Dodgers-Padres. The sheer emotion, the back-and-forth battles, and the genuine animosity have elevated this matchup to must-see status. As Betts put it, “These people genuinely don't like us.” That sentiment, echoed in the clubhouse and among the fans, ensures that every meeting between these two teams carries extra weight.
For the Padres, the challenge is clear: turn their passion into postseason success. They’ve already proven they can topple the Dodgers in October, as they did in 2022. But with a roster in flux and key decisions looming, the path forward is anything but certain. One thing’s for sure—when the Padres and Dodgers take the field, all eyes are watching, and anything can happen.
As the offseason approaches and the Padres prepare to retool, the rivalry with the Dodgers remains the heartbeat of baseball on the West Coast. Whether it’s fireworks on the field or big moves off it, the battle for supremacy is far from over. Fans on both sides wouldn’t have it any other way.
