The final regular-season meeting between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres took place on September 24, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. In that clash, the San Diego Padres secured a 4-2 victory over the Dodgers, capping off their fierce National League West divisional battles for the year. Ethan Salas and Fernando Tatís Jr. drove in key runs, while Nick Pivetta delivered a stellar performance on the mound to help the Padres take the final win of the season series.
Understanding this historic Southern California rivalry requires looking beyond a single box score. Both clubs boast star-studded rosters, massive payrolls, and a growing postseason history that turns every regular-season series into a high-stakes heavyweight bout. Let's break down how the final game unfolded, the broader context of their head-to-head matchup, and what drives this intense National League West feud.
Inside the Final Matchup: September 24, 2026
When the Padres visited Dodger Stadium for the finale of their late-September series, tension was high. The Dodgers had already secured another strong regular season, but San Diego was eager to stamp their authority on their southern neighbors.
The Padres jumped ahead early, relying on disciplined plate appearances and clutch hitting. Ethan Salas sparked the offense with effective swings, while veteran stars like Fernando Tatís Jr. and Manny Machado applied constant pressure on the Dodgers' pitching staff. On the other side, Tyler Glasnow logged a heavy workload for Los Angeles with 11 strikeouts over 6.1 innings, but the bullpen couldn't completely shut down San Diego's late-inning push.
Nick Pivetta earned high marks for his 4.2 innings of steady work, striking out seven batters and keeping the potent Dodgers lineup off balance. When the final out was recorded, the scoreboard read Padres 4, Dodgers 2, giving San Diego the psychological boost of taking the final game of the regular-season ledger.
Head-to-Head History and All-Time Records
The rivalry between these two franchises dates back to 1969 when the Padres joined the National League as an expansion team. Over the decades, they've played nearly a thousand games against each other.
- Total Meetings: Over 980 games played across regular season and postseason.
- All-Time Series Leader: The Dodgers hold a comfortable historic edge, leading the overall series roughly 547 to 441.
- Postseason Battles: While the Dodgers historically dominated regular-season play, the postseason rivalry intensified dramatically in the 2020s, featuring iconic playoff series in 2020, 2022, and 2024.
For much of the 1970s and 1980s, the matchup was defined by Dodger consistency and Padres rebuilding phases. However, major organizational investments by San Diego transformed the matchup into a true clash of titans. Modern lineups featuring superstars like Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts for Los Angeles meeting up against Fernando Tatís Jr. and Jackson Merrill for San Diego mean every game draws national television audiences.
Key Factors That Define the Matchup
Analyst metrics and historical trends show that games between Los Angeles and San Diego are rarely boring. Several elements consistently swing these contests:
- Petco Park vs. Dodger Stadium: Pitchers often find extra movement in the marine layer at Petco Park, whereas Dodger Stadium historically favors hitters looking to launch fastballs into the pavilions.
- Bullpen Depth: Because both teams feature elite top-of-the-order bats, games frequently come down to which manager's middle relievers can escape high-leverage jams in the seventh and eighth innings.
- Star Power Performance: When Ohtani, Freeman, Machado, and Tatís are locked in, pitching strategies shift toward neutralizing individual threats rather than attacking standard platoon advantages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 season series between the Dodgers and Padres?
The Dodgers claimed the upper hand in the overall 2026 regular-season standings and head-to-head win count, finishing with 100 wins while the Padres finished second in the division with 91 wins. However, the Padres won the final head-to-head game on September 24, 2026.
Where do the Dodgers and Padres play their home games?
The Los Angeles Dodgers play at historic Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine, Los Angeles, while the San Diego Padres play at Petco Park in downtown San Diego.
Have the Dodgers and Padres ever met in the postseason?
Yes. They have squared off in multiple high-profile National League Division Series (NLDS), most notably in 2020, 2022, and 2024, creating a fierce modern playoff rivalry.
When is the next scheduled game between the Dodgers and Padres?
Major League Baseball releases schedules months in advance, with spring training matchups opening early in the calendar year followed by regular-season series kicking off shortly after Opening Day. Check official league portals like MLB.com for up-to-the-minute ticketing and broadcast details.
