The Diamondbacks–Dodgers rivalry is a Major League Baseball (MLB) National League divisional rivalry played between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chase Field and Dodger Stadium are only 375 miles apart, mostly along I-10. The Diamondbacks are newcomers to the division; having founded in 1998, winning their first World Series in 2001. The Dodgers had been one of the oldest teams in the National League, having won 7 World Series titles. Both teams saw a rise in competition during the 2010s as they would both regularly qualify for the postseason, notably; regular season meetings between the two would often escalate into aggressive matchups occasionally escalating into fights between both benches.[5] Notably; both teams took part in the most recent MLB Australia Series in 2014.[6]
| Location | Western United States |
|---|---|
| First meeting | April 7, 1998[1] Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California Diamondbacks 1, Dodgers 9 |
| Latest meeting | September 2, 2024[1] Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona Dodgers 11, Diamondbacks 6 |
| Next meeting | May 8, 2025 Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona |
| Stadiums | Diamondbacks: Chase Field Dodgers: Dodger Stadium |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 471[2] |
| All-time series | Dodgers, 269–202 (.571)[2] |
| Regular season series | Dodgers, 266–199 (.572)[1] |
| Postseason results | Tie, 3–3[2] |
| Largest victory | |
| Longest win streak | |
| Current win streak | Dodgers, 1[1] |
| Post-season history | |
| |
The Dodgers lead the regular season series, 263–198. The two teams have met twice in the postseason, with the Dodgers winning the 2017 National League Division Series 3–0, and the Diamondbacks winning the 2023 National League Division Series 3–0.
Background
editThe rivalry was often dormant for the Diamondbacks' earlier years in the league following their inception in 1998, however things quickly began to heat up between both sides during the 2010s as the Dodgers saw a change in management in 2011 after controversial owner Frank McCourt had sold the team.[7] Eventually the Dodgers found their return to the postseason as their strength in competition found new life under different management.[8] The first notable moment of animosity between the two teams took place in September 2011 when both teams began hitting one another with inside pitches, including a notable moment where Clayton Kershaw was ejected on September 13 for throwing a fastball at Arizona outfielder Gerardo Parra's shoulder. The two would continue engaging in aggressive confrontations as the 2012 season would see more retaliatory acts on both sides.[9] During the 2013 season as both teams were engaged in a heated battle for second place of the division; the two sides engaged in a large scuffle on June 13, after Diamondbacks' pitcher Ian Kennedy drilled Dodgers' outfielder Yasiel Puig in the face with a pitch. Dodgers' then-pitcher Zack Greinke retaliated by hitting Arizona catcher Miguel Montero while at bat; resulting in both benches clearing in a massive brawl after Kennedy threw a pitch at Greinke the next inning.[10] Kennedy was suspended 10 games for the hit, however; Puig and Greinke received a fine for their part.[11]
On September 19, 2013 following a win in Arizona, The Dodgers managed a victory after having clinched the division and eliminating the Diamondbacks. Much to the anger of the Diamondbacks and fans alike; numerous Dodgers' players jumped into the outfield pool at Chase Field. Allegedly; stadium management had warned Dodger personnel against celebrating the win onfield due to the tensions between the two teams.[12] Diamondbacks' then-CEO Derrick Hall expressed anger at the gesture by the Dodgers, proclaiming: "I could call it disrespectful and classless, but they don't have a beautiful pool at their old park and must have really wanted to see what one was like".[13]
Since Arizona did not have an MLB franchise prior to 1998, many residents have supported the Dodgers before the Diamondbacks debuted. Due to the Dodgers' extensive fanbase in the southwestern United States, games between the Dodgers and Diamondbacks at the latter team's home stadium Chase Field often have a split crowd in attendance.[14][15]
2017: First NLDS matchup
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On December 8, 2015; Zack Greinke signed a six-year, $206.5 million contract with the Diamondbacks. By 2017; both teams had managed to secure playoff berths as the Diamondbacks finished with 93 wins while the Dodgers finished with 104, leading the division and the league. After winning the Wild Card Game; the Diamondbacks were set to face the Dodgers in the NL Division Series.[16] Despite Arizona's best efforts; they were no match for the Dodgers' copious batting core as they fell in a 3 game sweep.[17]
2023: Second NLDS matchup
editThe second half of the 2023 season saw the Dodgers win the NL West and the Diamondbacks finish second, securing the final Wild Card spot in the league. Following a 2-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Wild Card Series, the Diamondbacks were set to once again face the Dodgers in the NL Division Series.[18][19] Game 1 saw an aggressive showing from the Diamondbacks against Clayton Kershaw as they scored 11 runs within the first four innings, running away with the victory. The Diamondbacks would eventually earn a sweep with their 4-2 victories in Games 2 and 3. Notably, Arizona clinched the series at Chase Field, marking their first postseason series win at home since their World Series walkoff victory over the New York Yankees in 2001. Game 3 was also notable for the third inning where Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte, Christian Walker, and Gabriel Moreno each hit a home run in the bottom of the third inning, making it the first time ever in playoff history where a team hit four home runs in one inning.[20] The Diamondbacks later reached the 2023 World Series, playing against the Texas Rangers for their second ever World Series appearance (first appearance as a Wild Card team).
As of July 4, 2024, the Dodgers lead the regular season series 263–198, but are tied with a 3-3 record in postseason meetings (and by extension, are tied 1–1 in postseason series matchups).
Season-by-season results
edit| Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers Season-by-Season Results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1990s (Dodgers, 14–11)
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2000s (Dodgers, 96–83)
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2010s (Dodgers, 106–84)
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2020s (Dodgers, 53–24)
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Summary of Results
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Connections between the teams
edit| Name | Position(s) | Diamondbacks' tenure | Dodgers' tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirk Gibson | Manager/Outfielder | 2007–2014 (as manager) |
1988–1990 (as player) |
| Luis Gonzalez | Outfielder | 1999–2006 | 2007 |
| Shawn Green | Outfielder | 2005–2006 | 2000–2004 |
| Zack Greinke | Pitcher | 2016–2019 | 2013–2015 |
| Derrick Hall | Executive | 2004–Present | 1992–2004 |
| Dan Haren | Pitcher | 2008–2010 | 2014 |
| Mike Morgan | Pitcher | 2000–2002 | 1989–1991 |
| Joc Pederson | Outfielder/Designated Hitter | 2024–Present | 2014–2020 |
| David Peralta | Outfielder | 2014–2022 | 2023 |
| A.J. Pollock | Outfielder | 2012–2018 | 2019–2021 |
| Craig Counsell | Infielder | 2000–2003 | 1999 |
See also
editReferences
edit- Inline citations
- ^ a b c d e f "Head-to-Head Records — Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers from 1998 to 2024". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
- ^ a b c "mcubed.net : MLB : Series records : Arizona Diamondbacks against Los Angeles Dodgers". mcubed.net. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ "Arizona Diamondbacks vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: September 4, 2017". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ "Arizona Diamondbacks vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: July 10, 2021". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ "Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks".
- ^ "Brawls, batters hit and pools peed in: Dodgers-Diamondbacks rivalry has it all". March 19, 2014.
- ^ "Look at the Makings of a Dodgers-Diamondbacks Rivalry". Los Angeles Times. June 12, 2013.
- ^ "Derrick Hall says Diamondbacks-Dodgers "heated" rivalry getting even hotter". July 11, 2013.
- ^ "LA Dodgers vs Arizona Diamondbacks News: Teams Renew Rivalry". March 25, 2015.
- ^ "Wild brawl erupts between Dodgers, D-backs". YouTube.
- ^ "Dodgers-Diamondbacks Brawl fallout". June 14, 2013.
- ^ "Diamondbacks Unhappy with Dodgers' Pool Celebration After Clinching NL West". Bleacher Report.
- ^ "The Bad Blood Between The Dodgers And Diamondbacks". Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
- ^ "Dodgers: Passionate LA fans made Chase Field look like Dodger Stadium". Dodgers Way. June 20, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- ^ "Your take: Is the Arizona Diamondbacks' Chase Field an 'absolute dump'?". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- ^ "Beat LA: Arizona Diamondbacks' rivalry with Los Angeles Dodgers set for next chapter".
- ^ "Dodgers-Diamondbacks Rivalry to Continue into 2019". Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
- ^ "D-backs seal 1st trip to postseason since 2017". MLB.com.
- ^ "Arizona Diamondbacks clinch first playoff spot since 2017". Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- ^ "Arizona Diamondbacks stun LA Dodgers with historic inning to complete postseason sweep". CNN.com. October 12, 2023.