# Diamondbacks–Dodgers rivalry

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 8 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. Notably; both teams took part in the most recent MLB Australia Series in 2014.
The Dodgers lead the regular season series, 263–198. 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 (the two teams did have a close divisional race in 2008, before the D'Backs fell apart in September), 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. Eventually the Dodgers found their return to the postseason as their strength in competition found new life under different management. 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. 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. Kennedy was suspended 10 games for the hit, however; Puig and Greinke received a fine for their part.
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. 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".
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.

### 2017: First NLDS matchup

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

### 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. 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. 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 July 4, 2024, the Dodgers lead the regular season series 263–198, 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, 53–24)
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. In a reversal from the 2017 NLDS, Diamondbacks sweep Dodgers, marking the first time Dodgers have been swept in a playoff series since the 2006 NLDS.
2024
Dodgers
7‍–‍6
Dodgers, 5‍–‍2
Diamondbacks, 4‍–‍2
Dodgers 269‍–‍202
Dodgers win 2024 World Series
2024
Upcoming, May 8‍–‍11, September 23‍–‍25
Upcoming, May 19‍–‍21, August 29‍–‍31 :
Summary of Results
SeasonSeason seriesat Arizona Diamondbacksat Los Angeles DodgersNotes
Regular season games
Dodgers
266‍–‍199
Dodgers, 127‍–‍110
Dodgers, 139‍–‍89
Postseason games
Tie
3‍–‍3
Tie, 1‍–‍1
Tie, 2‍–‍2
Postseason series
Tie
1‍–‍1
N/A
N/A
NLDS: 2017, 2023
Regular and postseason
Dodgers
269‍–‍202
Dodgers, 128‍–‍111
Dodgers, 141‍–‍91 :

## Connections between the teams

| Name | Position(s) | Diamondbacks' tenure | Dodgers' 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 |
| Joc Pederson | Outfielder/Designated Hitter | 2024 | 2014–2020 |
| David Peralta | Outfielder | 2014–2022 | 2023 |
| A.J. Pollock | Outfielder | 2012–2018 | 2019–2021 |
| Craig Counsell | Infielder | 2000–2003 | 1999 |