The rivalry between the Padres and Dodgers just reached a new high! Petco Park was electric as the Padres took Game 3 of the National League Division Series in a nail-biting 6-5 victory, nudging them closer to their second NL Championship appearance in three seasons. And who took center stage? None other than Fernando Tatis Jr. with a two-run homer in the second inning, lighting up the scoreboard and capping a six-run burst—the highest-scoring postseason inning in Padres history! His cheeky stutter step near third base had the crowd roaring, leaving MLB legends David Ortiz, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Kevin Burkhardt buzzing on MLB on Fox.
San Diego’s offense was unstoppable, and their bullpen locked things down with four solid innings, fueling the crowd’s excitement all night. Alex Rodriguez put the matchup into perspective, comparing the Dodgers and Padres to “big brother versus little brother,” but with a twist. “The Dodgers have been the big brother for a long time,” he said, “but it looks like the little brother’s saying, ‘You know what, I caught up.’” This confidence, he added, is what’s making the Padres such a fierce competitor.
But what’s a playoff game without a little drama? Manny Machado’s controversial baserunning in the second inning had everyone talking when it seemed like he purposely obstructed Freddie Freeman’s throw to first. Rodriguez even suggested Machado used a “blind spot” to his advantage, helping the Padres flip a 1-0 deficit with a massive six-run inning. The Dodgers responded fiercely, clawing back with a five-run rally in the third inning, but the Padres held strong to secure the win and a 2-1 series lead. Still, the question lingers…
With just one more loss, the Dodgers could see their season end in frustration, knowing that once again, the Padres—the “obnoxious little brother”—might play spoiler to their postseason dreams. The Padres now lead the best-of-five series 2-1, and Game 4 looms as the potential decider.
Dylan Cease will take the mound for San Diego in the next game, with the Dodgers scrambling to fill in with a patchwork of relievers. After their Game 3 heartbreaker, the Dodgers find themselves staring down a grimly familiar scenario: another October exit at the hands of their persistent rivals. Can L.A. bounce back, or will the Padres ride this momentum all the way to the NL Championship?
