As one of the most successful teams in MLB history, the Los Angeles picked up an opponent along the way. Some rivals are newly formed, while others are as old as the sport.
Below are five of the ‘ biggest rivals and how they began.
vs Giants rivalry history
The rivalry between the and Giants is undoubtedly the most intense in baseball. It goes back to their first game in the 1889 World Series, when both teams played for the New York, the and the Giants.
The , formerly known as the Brooklyn Flower Room in 1889, defeated the Giants in the first match of the series. However, the Giants continued to win six of their nine games to win the World Series title.
The following season, the moved to the National League and won a pennant with the Giants. Since then, the two franchises have been competing fiercely in the division and postseason. The Giants hold the all-time record of 1284-1279 through matchups between all rivals in MLB history.
vs. Yankees rivalry history
As powerhouses in their respective leagues, the and Yankees have competed more with each other in the World Series than any other MLB team.
The 2024 World Series was the 12th matchup between two teams in the Fall Classics of History. It was the first time a team has met in the World Series since 1981. The Yankees won their first five World Series titles, earning a total of eight against the .
The moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958. However, despite the no longer being a Yankees’ crosstown rivalry, the rivalry continued, and the 2024 World Series wrote another chapter.
vs. Astros rivalry history
From Nolan Ryan’s fifth career in the MLB record to Fernando Valenzuela’s shutout in his rookie season, there have been several historic moments in the game between the and Astros.
However, nothing sparked more feuds between the former NL West division than in the 2017 World Series. The Astros claimed the title, but eventually got caught up in a sign stealing scandal.
Astros’ second baseman, Jose Altuve, hit a home run that won the series from New York Yankees’ Reliever Arrodis Chapman in the Al Championship Series. Based on a video where Altuve warns his teammates not to strip his jersey off in celebrating a home run, it is speculated that he had a buzzer under his jersey, informing him of the pitching that Champang throws.
MLB’s investigation revealed that the Astros steal enemy signs and slam on the dugout trash can to show what pitch they can throw. By stealing the sign, Houston gave them a greater advantage over their competition in the World Series run, adding fuel to the ‘ hostility towards them.
vs Padres rivals history
This is the latest in the rivals as the Padres have grown into a more competitive team. San Diego has become like his younger brother. My younger brother is old enough to finally have a match with his older brother.
In 1996, the franchise competed for the NL West title in the final series of the regular season. San Diego took Los Angeles by storm, winning the Division Crown for the second time in franchise history.
The and Padres continue to face off at the NL West, and have been postseason matchups for many years. Most recently, the returned to the NL Division Series to end the Padres 2024 season.
The Padres disrupt the in the 2022 NL Division Series after losing all six series against Los Angeles in the regular season.
It is clear that this rivalry has only just begun after the devastating defeat of San Diego’s final postseason.
vs Angels’ rivalry history
The and Angels were Crosstown rivals since the Angels were founded in 1961, and only three years after the moved to Los Angeles in 1958.
Their rivalry, known as the Highway Series, officially began in 1997, with the winning their first matchup 4-3.
The two teams met in a total of 148 times, with the Angels winning in 75 games and the winning in 73. Teams meet at the end of their spring training every year and meet at games at each home stadium.
The Angels are the closest rivals to the , but the two teams have never played the World Series with each other.
Photo credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Image
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