Why tempers might flare in latest Dodgers-Padres rivalry series

Welcome to The California Post’s weekly Dodgers recap, where baseball writers Dylan Hernández and Jack Harris review the week that was, hand out very official awards and take stock of the state of the season.Will tempers flare in Padres rematch?Around this time last year, the Dodgers-Padres rivalry reached its boiling point, after a flurry of hit batters amid a stretch of seven games in 10 days between the clubs led to a benches-clearing incident at Dodger Stadium.This weekend, similar circumstances could be in place.The teams, fresh off the Dodgers’ series win in San Diego last weekend, are again engaged in a seven-games-in-10-days stretch.And last Sunday’s finale at Petco Park saw five batters get hit –– including Fernando Tatis Jr., whose repeated plunkings last year served as kindling to the rivalry’s eventual blowup.Granted, tempers didn’t flare then.

And a key piece of last year’s hot-blooded equation — former Padres manager Mike Shildt, who confronted Dave Roberts during the June 2025 melee — is no longer in the picture.Another key difference now: The Dodgers have pulled away in the National League West race, entering with a 12-game division lead that already feels almost insurmountable.California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

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Never miss a story Still, if the Padres are going to get back into the division picture, this four-game trip to Chavez Ravine represents their best opportunity.That could enhance the stakes of the series and perhaps the emotions of a quick-turn rematch, too.“We try to take every series with the same importance,” Roberts said on the eve of this weekend’s series.

“But obviously you know winning that series would be [big].That is the goal.”Tommy Edman (.366 average, 1 home run, 8 RBIs in 12 games back from offsea...