Dodgers vs Padres Rivalry: A SoCal Saga
The Dodgers–Padres rivalry is deeply rooted in Southern California’s sporting culture, an emblematic clash of proximity, fandom, and competitive will. Despite historically being one-sided—Dodgers leading the regular-season series 523–427–1 and postseason 7–5—recent years have transformed it into one of MLB’s most compelling matchups.
Originally dominated by Los Angeles, the rivalry gained intensity in the 2020s with Padres’ roster investments. Although the Dodgers swept the Padres in the 2020 NLDS, San Diego struck back by defeating them in the 2022 postseason. In 2024, however, the Dodgers regained control, eliminating the Padres in a dramatic NLDS rematch and going on to win the World Series.
Tensions Still High, Spotlight Fading
Curiously, the rivalry’s competitive edge in 2025 has not translated into national television coverage—networks like ESPN, FOX, and Apple TV have largely skipped the series. But on the field, the rivalry remains fiery, driven by star power and on-field drama. Bench-clearing episodes in June—when both Fernando Tatis Jr. and Shohei Ohtani were hit by pitches, and dugouts exploded into confrontations—highlight its unpredictability and raw emotion MLB.com.
2025 Matchups: Recent Head-to-Head Battles
DodgersPadresPadresDodgersPadresDodgersPadresDodgersPadresDodgersPadresDodgersPadresDodgersPadresDodgersDodgersPadresThe schedule above shows the key Dodgers vs Padres games in 2025 up to August 23.
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June series at Dodger Stadium: A back-and-forth battle—Dodgers edged the Padres 5-2 to open, followed by multiple tight contests, including a 5-3 Padres win .
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Mid-August series: Dodgers dominated early with a 6-0 sweep, but the Padres responded with a clutch 2-1 win on August 22 at Petco Park.
Yu Darvish: The Veteran Anchor
Season Comeback & Milestone
Yu Darvish’s 2025 season began with a setback—elbow inflammation landed him on the 60-day IL, delaying his debut until early July. Upon his return, he quickly made an impact, securing his 204th career win (spanning Japanese and MLB wins), setting an all-time record among Japanese-born pitchers.
Performance Against the Dodgers
Darvish delivered a commanding performance on August 22: six innings, one hit, one run, five strikeouts, and retired 10 of his last 11 batters—leading the Padres to a pivotal 2-1 win that tied the NL West lead.
Career-wise with the Padres vs Dodgers:
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Record: 5-5
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ERA: Approximately 2.35–2.65
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Strikeouts: Around 94–99 in 14–15 appearances.
Season Metrics
As of mid-August 2025, Darvish’s overall record stood at roughly 3-3 with a 5.36 ERA, 39 strikeouts, and a 1.10 WHIP—showing flashes of brilliance amid overall uneven results.
Padres Schedule & Standings: Climbing in the West
The Padres have been on a strong August run, propelled by key wins—including the one over the Dodgers—to seize or share the NL West lead.
Their resurgence is tied to aggressive trade deadline moves and timely performances, while the Dodgers have struggled under a midseason slide and injuries to marquee players.
Robert Suarez’s mastery in the closer role—13-saves leader for MLB—has been instrumental in tight games.
Breakdown: Dodgers vs Padres, Darvish’s Role, and What Lies Ahead
Dodgers’ Strengths
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Deep, star-studded lineup featuring Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman—though Freeman battled midseason slumps before rebounding in August.
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Historically dominant pitcher rotation and winning culture—even amid injury woes.
Padres’ Edge
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Pitching anchored by Yu Darvish’s redemption and Suarez’s bullpen dominance.
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Offense boosted by small-ball tactics, combined with clutch moments from Machado and Bogaerts.
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Momentum from trade acquisitions and August performance surge
Rivalry Outlook
While national attention has dipped, the intensity remains. The Padres look to capitalize on momentum; Dodgers aim to steady their ship amid adversity. The battle for NL West supremacy is as exciting as ever, especially with Los Angeles stumbling and San Diego climbing.
