Diamondbacks–Dodgers rivalry
Arizona Diamondbacks
Los Angeles Dodgers
LocationWestern United States
First meetingApril 7, 1998
Dodger Stadium
Dodgers 9, Diamondbacks 1
Latest meetingOctober 11, 2023
Chase Field
Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 2
Next meetingApril 29, 2024
Chase Field
Statistics
Meetings total458
Most winsDodgers
Regular season seriesDodgers, 259–193 (.573)[1]
Postseason resultsTie, 3–3
Largest victoryDodgers: 14–1 (2010)
Diamondbacks: 13–0 (2017)
Longest win streak
  • Diamondbacks: 11 (2017–18)
  • Dodgers: 10 (2022)
Current win streakDiamondbacks, 3
Post-season history

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.[2] Notably; both teams took part in the most recent MLB Australia Series in 2014.[3]

The Dodgers lead the regular season series, 259–193. 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

The 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.[4] Eventually the Dodgers found their return to the postseason as their strength in competition found new life under different management.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7] Kennedy was suspended 10 games for the hit, however; Puig and Greinke received a fine for their part.[8]

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.[9] 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".[10]

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.[11][12]

2017: First NLDS Matchup

The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw and the Diamondbacks' Zach Greinke were both finalists for the Cy Young award in 2017.

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.[13] Despite Arizona's best efforts; they were no match for the Dodgers' copious batting core as they fell in a 3 game sweep.[14]

2023: Second NLDS Matchup

The 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.[15][16] 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.[17] 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 2023, the Dodgers lead the regular season series 259-193, 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

Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers Season-by-Season Results
1990s (Dodgers, 14–11)
SeasonSeason seriesat Arizona Diamondbacksat Los Angeles DodgersOverall seriesNotes
1998 Dodgers 8–4 Dodgers, 4–2 Dodgers, 4–2 Dodgers
8–4
1999 Diamondbacks 7–6 Diamondbacks, 5–2 Dodgers, 4–2 Dodgers
14–11
2000s (Dodgers, 96–83)
SeasonSeason seriesat Arizona Diamondbacksat Los Angeles DodgersOverall seriesNotes
2000 Diamondbacks 7–6 Diamondbacks, 5–1 Dodgers, 5–2 Dodgers
20–18
2001 Diamondbacks 10–9 Tie, 5–5 Diamondbacks, 5–4 Dodgers
29–28		 MLB changed to an unbalanced schedule in 2001, resulting in 18–19 meetings per year. Diamondbacks win 2001 World Series
2002 Dodgers 10–9 Dodgers, 5–4 Tie, 5–5 Dodgers
39–37
2003 Diamondbacks 10–9 Tie, 5–5 Diamondbacks, 5–4 Dodgers
48–47
2004 Dodgers 16–3 Dodgers, 8–2 Dodgers, 8–1 Dodgers
64–50		 Dodgers take a 49–48 lead on May 29 in the series, a lead they would never relinquish.
2005 Diamondbacks 13–5 Diamondbacks, 5–4 Diamondbacks, 8–1 Dodgers
69–63
2006 Dodgers 10–8 Diamondbacks, 6–3 Dodgers, 7–2 Dodgers
79–71
2007 Dodgers 10–8 Dodgers, 6–3 Diamondbacks, 5–4 Dodgers
89–79
2008 Dodgers 10–8 Diamondbacks, 5–4 Dodgers, 6–3 Dodgers
99–87
2009 Dodgers 11–7 Dodgers, 5–4 Dodgers, 6–3 Dodgers
110–94
2010s (Dodgers, 106–84)
SeasonSeason seriesat Arizona Diamondbacksat Los Angeles DodgersOverall seriesNotes
2010 Dodgers 13–5 Dodgers, 6–3 Dodgers, 7–2 Dodgers
123–99
2011 Diamondbacks 10–8 Dodgers, 5–4 Diamondbacks, 6–3 Dodgers
131–109
2012 Diamondbacks 12–6 Diamondbacks, 6–3 Diamondbacks, 6–3 Dodgers
137–121
2013 Diamondbacks 10–9 Dodgers, 6–4 Diamondbacks, 6–3 Dodgers
146–131		 Both AL and NL having balanced teams leads to a balanced schedule of 19 games per season.
2014 Dodgers 15–4 Dodgers, 8–2 Dodgers, 7–2 Dodgers
161–135
2015 Dodgers 13–6 Dodgers, 5–4 Dodgers, 8–2 Dodgers
174–141
2016 Dodgers 12–7 Tie, 5–5 Dodgers, 7–2 Dodgers
186–148
2017 Diamondbacks 11–8 Diamondbacks, 6–3 Tie, 5–5 Dodgers
194–159		 Dodgers lose 2017 World Series
2017 NLDS Dodgers 3–0 Dodgers, 1–0 Dodgers, 2–0 Dodgers
197–159		 First postseason meeting between the two clubs.
2018 Diamondbacks 11–8 Diamondbacks, 7–3 Dodgers, 5–4 Dodgers
205–170		 Dodgers lose 2018 World Series
2019 Dodgers 11–8 Diamondbacks, 6–4 Dodgers, 7–2 Dodgers
216–178
2020s (Dodgers, 46–18)
SeasonSeason seriesat Arizona Diamondbacksat Los Angeles DodgersOverall seriesNotes
2020 Dodgers 8–2 Dodgers, 5–2 Dodgers, 3–0 Dodgers
224–180		 Season shortened to 60 games (with 10 meetings) due to COVID-19 pandemic
Dodgers win 2020 World Series.
2021 Dodgers 16–3 Dodgers, 7–2 Dodgers, 9–1 Dodgers
240–183
2022 Dodgers 14–5 Dodgers, 7–3 Dodgers, 7–2 Dodgers
254–188
2023 Dodgers 8–5 Tie, 3–3 Dodgers, 5–2 Dodgers
262–193		 New schedule structure started this season to allow every team to play one series against every interleague team. Shortening meetings from 19 to 13 games.
Diamondbacks lose 2023 World Series.
2023 NLDS Diamondbacks 3–0 Diamondbacks, 1–0 Diamondbacks, 2–0 Dodgers
262–196		 Second postseason meeting. Diamondbacks upset Dodgers.
Summary of Results
SeasonSeason seriesat Arizona Diamondbacksat Los Angeles DodgersNotes
Regular season games Dodgers 259–193 Dodgers, 122–108 Dodgers, 137–85
Postseason games Tie 3–3 Tie, 1–1 Tie, 2–2
Postseason series Tie 1–1 Tie, 1–1 Tie, 1–1
Regular and postseason Dodgers 262–196 Dodgers, 123–109 Dodgers, 139–87

Connections between the teams

NamePosition(s)Diamondbacks' tenureDodgers' 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
David Peralta Outfielder 2014–2022 2023–present
A.J. Pollock Outfielder 2012–2018 2019–2021

See also

References

Inline citations
  1. ↑ "Head-to-Head Records". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks".
  3. ↑ "Brawls, batters hit and pools peed in: Dodgers-Diamondbacks rivalry has it all".
  4. ↑ "Look at the Makings of a Dodgers-Diamondbacks Rivalry".
  5. ↑ "Derrick Hall says Diamondbacks-Dodgers "heated" rivalry getting even hotter".
  6. ↑ "LA Dodgers vs Arizona Diamondbacks News: Teams Renew Rivalry".
  7. ↑ "Wild brawl erupts between Dodgers, D-backs".
  8. ↑ "Dodgers-Diamondbacks Brawl fallout".
  9. ↑ "Diamondbacks Unhappy with Dodgers' Pool Celebration After Clinching NL West".
  10. ↑ "The Bad Blood Between The Dodgers And Diamondbacks".
  11. ↑ "Dodgers: Passionate LA fans made Chase Field look like Dodger Stadium". Dodgers Way. June 20, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Your take: Is the Arizona Diamondbacks' Chase Field an 'absolute dump'?". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Beat LA: Arizona Diamondbacks' rivalry with Los Angeles Dodgers set for next chapter".
  14. ↑ "Dodgers-Diamondbacks Rivalry to Continue into 2019".
  15. ↑ "D-backs seal 1st trip to postseason since 2017".
  16. ↑ "Arizona Diamondbacks clinch first playoff spot since 2017".
  17. ↑ "Arizona Diamondbacks stun LA Dodgers with historic inning to complete postseason sweep". CNN.com.
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