The Dodgers–Padres rivalry is reaching new heights as offseason drama intensifies, making it one of the sport’s must-watch battles.NL
The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres have always shared one of Major League Baseball’s most heated rivalries, but recent events have sent their animosity to a whole new level. With high-profile player moves, fiery on-field incidents, and major roster changes, both teams are gearing up for a 2026 season that promises fireworks on and off the diamond.
Much of the Dodgers’ offseason chatter has centered on their urgent need to reinforce the bullpen. The departures of Kirby Yates and Michael Kopech to free agency, the aging of veteran Blake Treinen, and the surprising exit of Evan Phillips have left the bullpen thinner than fans and management would like. The front office is under pressure to add multiple high-leverage right-handed arms to ensure the Dodgers remain World Series contenders.
One name at the top of the rumor mill is San Diego Padres All-Star closer Robert Suarez. According to reports published on November 27, 2025, the Dodgers are predicted to pursue Suarez in free agency. It’s a tantalizing prospect: Suarez has racked up 76 saves over the last two seasons and boasts a fastball that sits in the 97th percentile league-wide. However, there’s a catch—he’ll turn 35 next season and is reportedly seeking a multi-year deal. If his demands stretch beyond two years and $12-15 million per season, there’s skepticism that Los Angeles will bite. The Dodgers, always looking for value, may balk at a long-term commitment for an aging reliever, even one with Suarez’s credentials.
But the intrigue doesn’t stop with the numbers. The Dodgers’ potential pursuit of Suarez is layered with recent history and drama. The June 19, 2025, clash between these two teams was a powder keg. During the series finale, tensions boiled over when Dodgers reliever Jack Little hit Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. in the hands with a pitch. The benches cleared, emotions flared, and Padres manager Mike Shildt stormed out of the dugout, pointing directly at Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts. Roberts, never one to back down, charged toward home plate, bumping Shildt and triggering a full-on melee as both dugouts and bullpens emptied.
The fallout was swift and severe. Major League Baseball handed down suspensions and fines the next day. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount. Padres manager Mike Shildt received the same punishment. Most notably, Robert Suarez was suspended for three games and fined for what MLB called “intentionally hitting” Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani with a 100 mph fastball in the ninth inning. Bench coach Danny Lehmann was tapped to manage the Dodgers in Roberts’ absence for the following game against the Nationals.
That incident was more than just another chapter in the Dodgers-Padres rivalry—it marked a turning point. Shohei Ohtani, widely regarded as one of the game’s greatest and most gracious competitors, had always tipped his cap to the opposing manager and players before every at-bat. But after being intentionally hit twice during that four-game series, Ohtani changed his pregame routine. As reported by Forbes Magazine, he now skips the customary salute when facing the Padres and their manager Mike Shildt. For someone with Ohtani’s reputation for sportsmanship, this shift speaks volumes about the bad blood brewing between the two clubs.
“It unfortunately came to a point where we became the focus and that’s not the way it should be,” Roberts said, reflecting on the altercation and the subsequent suspensions. “I support it. I think that obviously, I never want to make the game about the managers, it shouldn’t be. It should be about the players and winning.” Roberts’ words echo the sentiment felt around the league: while competitive fire is part of baseball, the spotlight should remain on the athletes and their achievements.
The rivalry has only intensified since the Padres knocked the Dodgers out of the National League Division Series in 2023. With both teams now set to face each other in four series during the upcoming season, fans and analysts are bracing for more high-stakes drama. Will the benches clear again? Will Ohtani and Suarez face off with the same tension? Only time will tell, but the anticipation is palpable.
Meanwhile, the Padres have their own roster challenges to address. On November 26, 2025, they lost free agent right-hander Dylan Cease, who inked a massive seven-year, $210 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. The loss of Cease leaves a significant hole in San Diego’s starting rotation, already plagued by question marks. Joe Musgrove is still recovering from Tommy John surgery and missed all of the 2025 season. Other options, like Nick Pivetta and Randy Vasquez, offer potential but lack the consistency of an ace. Left-hander JP Sears shuttled between the majors and minors after his midseason acquisition, and Kyle Hart struggled in his return from Korea.
In response, the Padres signed Sean Boyle to a minor league contract. Boyle spent seven seasons in the Yankees organization, most recently posting a 9-9 record with a 4.61 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 134.2 innings for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in 2025. While Boyle has yet to make his big-league debut, his move to San Diego could finally provide the opportunity he’s been chasing. With the Padres’ rotation in flux, Boyle is expected to begin the 2026 season at Triple-A El Paso, but a strong showing in spring training could see him break camp with the major league club.
As the offseason progresses, both the Dodgers and Padres are making moves that could reshape the balance of power in the National League West. The Dodgers are weighing whether to commit to a veteran closer with a complicated recent history, while the Padres are scrambling to patch their rotation after losing a marquee arm. Add in the simmering tension from last summer’s on-field fireworks, and the stage is set for another year of unforgettable showdowns.
With the baseball world watching, every signing, every pitch, and every handshake—or lack thereof—between these two teams will be scrutinized. The Dodgers and Padres aren’t just battling for wins; they’re fighting for pride, supremacy, and perhaps a little redemption. The countdown to their next meeting is already underway, and if recent history is any indication, fans should buckle up for another wild ride.
