The Dodgers-Padres rivalry has long been one of baseball’s most intense, but Monday night’s clash at Dodger Stadium poured gasoline on an already raging fire.
In the fourth inning of Los Angeles’ 6–3 victory over San Diego, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages was drilled by a 98-mph fastball from Padres ace Dylan Cease. Though the ball struck only his elbow guard, Pages immediately turned and barked at Cease, clearly believing the pitch was no accident.
Pages later speculated the incident may have stemmed from an earlier at-bat, when he doubled and the Padres might’ve suspected him of stealing signs. “He doesn’t miss with a slider on the corner, but he can miss with a fastball?” Pages said afterward, questioning the intent behind the pitch. He also admitted that his reaction might have been fueled by adrenaline, and even sought out a moment to apologize after the game.
Despite the fiery moment, benches didn’t clear, and the game moved on — but the underlying tension was undeniable.
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“I probably shouldn’t have reacted like that,” Pages said in Spanish. “But he doesn’t miss with a slider on the corner, yet he can miss with a fastball?” he questioned Cease’s intent, implying the slip was intentional.
Cease, for his part, denied any malicious intent. “It’s not going to stop me from throwing inside,” he said. “It just happens. It’s part of the game.”
Padres veteran Manny Machado also chimed in, brushing off Pages’ reaction while stirring the pot with a subtle dig. “They’ve got some big dogs over there we could hit if we wanted to,” he said. “This rivalry… it’s back and forth. Things get heated.”
Machado’s comment, part compliment and part challenge, underscores how real and raw this rivalry has become. Just months removed from a heated NLDS showdown filled with emotion and controversy, Monday’s exchange adds yet another chapter to the growing animosity between these NL West powerhouses.
With three games still to play in this series, don’t expect the temperature to cool down anytime soon.