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As one of the most successful teams in MLB history, the Los Angeles Dodgers have picked up some enemies along the way. Some rivalries are newly formed, while others are as old as the sport.
Here are five of the Dodgers’ biggest rivalries and how they began.
Dodgers vs Giants Rivalry History
The rivalry between the Dodgers and Giants is arguably the most intense in baseball. Dating back to their first game in the 1889 World Series when both teams played in New York, the Dodgers and Giants have been longtime rivals for more than a century.
The Dodgers, who were formerly known as the Brooklyn Bridegrooms in 1889, defeated the Giants in the first game of the series. However, the Giants went on to win six of the nine games to claim the World Series title.
The following season, the Dodgers moved to the National League and won the pennant over the Giants. Since then, the two franchises have competed fiercely in their division and the postseason. The Giants hold the all-time record of 1284-1279 through all of the rivals’ matchups in MLB history.
Dodgers vs Yankees Rivalry History
As the powerhouses in their respective leagues, the Dodgers and Yankees have competed against each other in the World Series more than any other pair of MLB teams.
The 2024 World Series was the 12th matchup between the two teams in the Fall Classic in history. It was the first time the teams met in the World Series since 1981, which marked the longest gap between their Fall Classic matchups. The Yankees won the first five World Series titles and have won eight in total against the Dodgers.
The Dodgers moved to Los Angeles from Brooklyn in 1958. But even though the Dodgers are no longer the crosstown rivals of the Yankees, the rivalry continues, and the 2024 World Series wrote another chapter.
Dodgers vs Astros Rivalry History
From Nolan Ryan’s MLB-record fifth career no-hitter to Fernando Valenzuela’s shutout in his rookie season, several historic moments have happened in games between the Dodgers and Astros.
But nothing stirred the feud between the former NL West division rivals more than the 2017 World Series. The Astros claimed the title but were eventually caught in a sign-stealing scandal.
Astros second baseman Jose Altuve hit a series-winning home run off New York Yankees’ reliever Aroldis Chapman in the AL Championship Series. Based on a video of Altuve alerting his teammates not to rip off his jersey in celebration of the home run, it is speculated that he had a buzzer under his jersey that signaled which pitches Champan would throw.
An MLB investigation found that the Astros would steal signs of their opponents and bang on trash cans in the dugout to signal what kind of pitch would be thrown. The sign-stealing gave Houston a major advantage over their competition in their World Series run and added fuel to the Dodgers’ animosity toward them.
Dodgers vs Padres Rivalry History
This is the newest of the Dodgers’ rivalries, as the Padres have developed into a more competitive team. San Diego has become like a younger brother who has finally grown old enough to be an even matchup to his older brother.
In 1996, the franchises battled for the NL West title in the final series of the regular season. San Diego swept Los Angeles and won the division crown for the second time in franchise history.
The Dodgers and Padres have continued to face off in the NL West and have had tight postseason matchups throughout the years. Most recently, the Dodgers came back in the NL Division Series to end the Padres’ 2024 season.
The Padres upset the Dodgers in the 2022 NL Division Series after losing all six series against Los Angeles in the regular season.
After San Diego’s devastating defeat last postseason, it is clear this rivalry is just beginning.
Dodgers vs Angels Rivalry History
The Dodgers and Angels have been crosstown rivals ever since the Angels were established in 1961, just three years after the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1958.
Their rivalry, known as the Freeway Series, officially began in 1997, with the Dodgers winning the first matchup, 4-3.
The two teams have met a total of 148 times, with the Angels winning 75 games and the Dodgers winning 73. The teams also meet at the end of spring training every year, with games at each home stadium.
The Angels are the Dodgers’ closest rival in proximity, but the two teams have never played a World Series against each other.
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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