The rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres has intensified considerably over the past few years. The two teams have been locked together in a fierce battle for supremacy, which has also extended into the postseason.
The Dodgers are on the road for a three-game set against the Padres at Petco Park this week. The visitors drew first blood in the tussle by edging the host team 8-7 after extra innings in the opening clash.
Dave Roberts Confident the Dodgers Can Bounce Back From Heavy Defeat Against Padres
The Padres responded to the loss with an 11-1 hammering over the Dodgers on Tuesday evening. Manny Machado posted five RBIs in the contest for the hosts, while Michael Conforto drove in the only run for the visiting team.
Due to their depleted starting rotation, Los Angeles used Lou Trivino as an opener, who posted a scoreless first inning. Matt Sauer took over proceedings in the second, and San Diego scored nine runs off him in 4.2 innings from 13 base hits and three walks.
On the other hand, Dylan Cease had a superb outing on the mound for San Diego with seven shutout innings despite giving up three base hits with five walks. Cease recorded 68 strikes from his 103 pitches and punched out 11 Dodgers.
Dave Roberts, the Dodgers manager, lamented the insipid performance from his team in his postgame interview with the media. Nevertheless, he sounded confident about their chances of winning the rubber match of the series on Wednesday.
“We had a couple of chances early, but I think, when the game got away, you could just see that things flipped. We got behind so much,” Roberts said. “I still feel good about where we’re at compared to where they’re at in the bullpen.
“We have a chance to win the series, so I like our chances a lot tomorrow,” he added. “Today was one of those games where you’ve got to read and react. Yeah, it’s where our [pitching] staff is at right now.”
“We have a chance to win the series, so I like our chances a lot tomorrow.”
Dave Roberts speaks to the media after the #Dodgers lose to the Padres 11-1 in Game 2. pic.twitter.com/ydBPXqUuV8
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 11, 2025
The blowout loss was a blessing in disguise, as it allowed Roberts to rest all his high-leverage relievers. Moreover, utility infielder Kiké Hernández made his third appearance of the season on the mound and had recorded the last seven outs for the Dodgers.
“That was the thought once we got behind early. You’ve just got to look at where our bullpen is at and appreciate what we have the next couple of days,” Roberts said. “It wasn’t smart to chase [the win] and redline guys in the bullpen.”
Right now, the Dodgers have 14 pitchers on the IL, including several starting pitchers, which has bloated the load on their bullpen. They are also set to host the San Francisco Giants this weekend before welcoming the Padres to Dodger Stadium next week.