NL West

San Diego Padres star Manny Machado called out Los Angeles Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty after he hit Fernando Tatis Jr. with a pitch during Sunday night's National League Division Series clash.

"He tried to hit our best hitter," Machado said, per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.

"If you can't get him out, don't hit him, right? They got the best player in the game, right? Ohtani? We don't go out there and try to hit Ohtani," he said. "We try to get him out."

With the Dodgers trailing 3-1 at the start of the sixth inning, Tatis was hit by a pitch. Machado stuck out later in the frame, but he exchanged words with Flaherty afterward.

Jack Flaherty had some words for Manny Machado after he struck him out

📲 Watch in 4K on the FOX Sports App: https://t.co/Bh5TBbKCAJ pic.twitter.com/BQyL3imC1B

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 7, 2024

Jack Flaherty and Manny Machado are still chirping at each other 😳 pic.twitter.com/CsCa3wqVe4

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 7, 2024

The Padres eventually pulled away and won by the final score of 10-2, tying the series at 1-1.

Tatis got the better of Flaherty before he was struck by the pitch, hitting a solo home run in the first inning. He recorded his second consecutive extra-base hit of the day in the third inning, a one-out double.

Fernando Tatis Jr. gets the scoring started RIGHT AWAY! #NLDS pic.twitter.com/hjlvkWg696

— MLB (@MLB) October 7, 2024

"There's too much of an important series just to be throwing at guys," Tatis said after the game, via Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "That's what I understand. That's what my IQ of baseball is telling me. When he hit me, he just gave me more energy. My boys gave me more energy."

Flaherty, who finished with five hits and four earned runs allowed in 5.1 innings of work, denied hitting Tatis on purpose.

"Look, I missed in the first inning and I threw the ball over the middle," Flaherty explained, per Sheldon. "I wasn't going to miss over the plate again. I have no reason to hit a guy there to start off the sixth."

"I'm going in for effect, and he didn't get out of the way and it hit him," Flaherty added.

Tatis still showcased his power at the plate against the Dodgers bullpen, hitting his second homer of the day in the ninth inning. The Padres finished the game with six home runs, tying an MLB postseason record.

That's Tatis' SECOND HR of the night and the Padres' SIXTH HR of the night 💥

(via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/uMDfVDNL6Q

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) October 7, 2024

The series between the NL West rivals now heads back to San Diego, with two upcoming contests at Petco Park. Game 3 is on Tuesday at 9:08 p.m. ET.

The Los Angeles Dodgers had a chance to take a commanding 2-0 NLDS series lead over the San Diego Padres on Sunday night.

Instead, an offensive outburst that included six home runs and 10 runs scored from the Padres allowed them to tie the series at one.

What’s 10-2? Ate. pic.twitter.com/asTzrGYdOY

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) October 7, 2024

FINAL: Padres 10, #Dodgers 2

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 7, 2024

Fernando Tatís Jr. led the charge with two home runs, going 3-for-4 overall and driving in three runs. Jackson Merrill went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and a home run, Xander Bogaerts, David Peralta and Kyle Higashioka contributed the other home runs.

The Dodgers were led offensively by Max Muncy, who had two hits and a home run. However, the team managed just five total hits and was unable to muster any momentum against the Padres pitching staff.

Jack Flaherty took the loss after tossing 5.1 innings and allowing five hits, two home runs and four earned runs. The bullpen accounted for the remaining six runs and showed exactly why the thin depth of the pitching staff could be a problem for contention chances.

Fans took to social media to criticize the team's performance.

The Dodgers lose in embarrassing fashion to the Padres 10-2 and the NLDS is now tied at 1-1.

This game was filled with drama, delays, NSFW words but LA couldn't build off of any of it. SD hit a postseason-record 6 home runs.

Game 3 is at Petco Park on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/gr1Z5qRh1F

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) October 7, 2024

Jackson Merrill just hit a two-run home run off of Ryan Brasier.

The Padres now lead the Dodgers 6-1 in the 8th inning.

This is looking horrible.

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) October 7, 2024

6 home runs allowed are a Dodgers postseason record

Previous mark of five HR done twice:

Game 5 of the 2017 World Series (in Houston, go figure) and Game 1 of the 2004 NLDS in St. Louishttps://t.co/qOT4THQPlR

— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) October 7, 2024

6 home runs given up, that's disgusting

— Mark 🏆 #ACAB (@DodgersMark) October 7, 2024

A historic offensive onslaught tonight for the @Padres 😱

(MLB x @BudweiserUSA) pic.twitter.com/yMMwEJui7T

— MLB (@MLB) October 7, 2024

Padres home runs tonight at Dodger Stadium. pic.twitter.com/1zzMJvusE0

— Greg Rajan (@GregRajan) October 7, 2024

The Padres had more home runs than the Dodgers had hits. You don’t see that everyday.

— Rachel Doerrie (@racheldoerrie) October 7, 2024

I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight if I were a Dodger fan pic.twitter.com/e7E1pNDMCH

— Liam Fennessy (@LiamFennessy_) October 7, 2024

FINAL: Padres 10, Dodgers 2

San Diego stomped Los Angeles. The Padres hit six home runs, Yu Darvish threw a gem, Jurickson Profar made a legendary catch and the goobers who threw things at Padres players went home sad.

This series heads back to San Diego tied. Game 3 Tuesday.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 7, 2024

The series now heads to San Diego with both teams needing two victories to advance to the NLCS. While the loss should be wiped from memory for the Dodgers, it was undoubtedly a major momentum boost for the Padres.

The Dodgers have not advanced out of the Division Series since 2021 and a series loss would likely signal some sweeping changes throughout the organization. The bats will need to be hot in San Diego to avoid that fate.

Game 3 is set for Tuesday, with the first pitch set for 9:08 p.m. ET.

Tensions between San Diego Padres outfielders and Los Angeles Dodgers fans boiled over on Sunday in the seventh inning of Game 2 of the National League Division Series.

The game had to be paused after two baseballs were thrown from the crowd in San Diego outfielder Jurickson Profar's direction, followed by trash and other objects.

Things are getting heated at Dodger Stadium. pic.twitter.com/hfIWFoouiG

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 7, 2024

The fans in the left-field seats at Dodger Stadium threw two baseballs in Jurickson Profar's general direction. The Padres and the entire umpiring crew have converged in left field, while the stadium PA announcer urges the fans to not throw objects onto the field.

— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) October 7, 2024

Shortly after, fans started throwing objects directed at Fernando Tatis Jr., leading to further delay.

Now a bunch of fans have thrown objects in Fernando Tatis Jr.'s direction in right field. There are close to 20 security guards standing along the foul lines and play is still delayed. I've never seen anything like this.

— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) October 7, 2024

"Tatis giving them the fake tears." pic.twitter.com/zFypoCPAzm

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 7, 2024

Eventually, after an extended delay, fans stopped throwing objects, and play resumed.

Profar and the Dodgers fans sitting in left field had an exchange early in Sunday's game. In the bottom of the first inning, Profar robbed a Mookie Betts home run before staring down a group of fans and dancing away.

JURICKSON PROFAR ROBS MOOKIE!!! #NLDS pic.twitter.com/bvByqwsAKB

— MLB (@MLB) October 7, 2024

The game was later delayed when fans threw objects at Profar in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Padres dropped Game 1 of the series on Saturday as Dodgers' star Shohei Ohtani hit a three-run homer to lift Los Angeles to a 7-5 win. San Diego came into Sunday's game looking to even the series, and the Padres clearly came to play.

Before the divisional series started, it was obvious things were going to be heated between the two rivals, and the intensity has already been on display through two games. The series will head to Petco Park on Tuesday for Game 3, where Padres fans will look to make it a tough environment for Los Angeles.

Shohei Ohtani shined as the Los Angeles Dodgers took Game 1 against the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series on Saturday night.

THE DODGERS TAKE GAME 1 OVER THE PADRES WITH A 7-5 W 🌟 pic.twitter.com/eE4N7qxsIZ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 6, 2024

Ohtani went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run in the first postseason game of his career, helping the Dodgers secure a 7-5 win.

SHOHEI OHTANI CRUSHES A 3-RUN HOMER TO TIE THINGS UP 😤

HIS FIRST EVER POSTSEASON HR 🔥

(via @MLB)

pic.twitter.com/OtucOZnY4s

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 6, 2024

The Padres jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage in the first inning following a homer from Manny Machado. It didn't take long for Los Angeles to respond, as Ohtani's three-run blast occurred in the bottom of the second.

San Diego took the lead once again, pulling ahead 5-3 after a two-run double by Xander Bogaerts. Los Angeles fought back in the fourth inning, scoring three runs due to a wild pitch as well as a single by Teoscar Hernández.

The Dodgers ran into some trouble in the eighth, as the Padres loaded the bases with two outs. However, reliever Blake Treinen was able to strike out utility infielder Donovan Solano and prevent San Diego from scoring.

Blake Treinen has the @Dodgers three outs away from a Game 1 victory! #NLDS pic.twitter.com/8mqzraYEyw

— MLB (@MLB) October 6, 2024

Fans applauded the effort by the Dodgers and were astonished by Ohtani's playoff debut.

Shohei Ohtani was worth every bit of that $700 million.

He now has the same amount of home runs as the entire Dodgers team in the 2023 NLDS.

It's the second inning of Game 1.

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) October 6, 2024

the Dodgers entered today 0-14 in their postseason history after trailing by 3+ runs thru the first inning

BUT THEY DIDN’T HAVE SHOHEI OHTANI THOSE FIRST 14 TIMES…NOW THEY DO!! https://t.co/vyObxaHw95

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 6, 2024

SHOHEI HAS ARRIVED! GOAT

— JBond (@jbondwagon) October 6, 2024

That bat flip.. bro means business

— Joseph (@JHeat2119) October 6, 2024

Freaking Ohtani. No words. This dude.

— Jim Rome (@jimrome) October 6, 2024

Shohei Ohtani has played four postseason innings and has hit a home run and a single and scored two runs and driven in three runs. pic.twitter.com/BpjOMhPWST

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) October 6, 2024

We may appreciate watching Ohtani…and yet, I’m not sure that we appreciate it enough.

— Casey Stern (@CaseyStern) October 6, 2024

The Dodgers will look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead on Sunday at 8:03 p.m. ET.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will be without Clayton Kershaw this postseason.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told Bob Nightengale of USA Today that Kershaw is officially done for the season and that his toe injury is not improving.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts discloses that Clayton Kershaw's season is officially over:
"Where he's at right now, physically, the foot, the toe, just is not cooperating. It's actually getting worse. Yeah, this is it for Clayton for 2024.''

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 5, 2024

"Where he's at right now, physically, the foot, the toe, just is not cooperating," Roberts said, per Nightengale. "It's actually getting worse. Yeah, this is it for Clayton for 2024.''

Kershaw had notably been kept off the NLDS roster but Roberts' revelation means that the team will be without the southpaw for the entirety of the postseason. He left his Aug. 30 start after one inning with the toe injury and had been working up to a return.

He had previously expressed hope at a return for the postseason, but now the pitching reinforcements for Los Angeles are light if another pitcher were to head to the injured list.

The team is carrying 13 pitchers on the postseason roster and will hope that Walker Buehler, Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto can have some strong performances and anchor the rotation.

Here's your 26-man roster for the NLDS. pic.twitter.com/7nAlksogVB

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 5, 2024

Kershaw joins Tyler Glasnow, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin as major starters that are unavailable, with Gonsolin being the only one who could theoretically return. Brusdar Graterol and Brent Honeywell are notable relievers on the injured list, so the pitching depth is extremely stretched thin.

That doesn't mean all hope is lost for the 98-win Dodgers as a potent offense has carried the team all year. Los Angeles still has home field advantage throughout the postseason and the path is there for a postseason run.

The Dodgers will begin postseason play Saturday when they host the San Diego Padres.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is eagerly anticipating his postseason debut ahead of the team's matchup with the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series.

"It's always been my childhood dream to be able to be in an important game," Ohtani said through an interpreter, per ESPN's Alden Gonzalez. "So I think the excitement of that is greater than anything else that I could possibly feel."

The 30-year-old spent the first six years of his career on the Los Angeles Angels with fellow superstar Mike Trout. However, injuries and the lack of a consistent supporting cast prevented the Angels from making a postseason appearance throughout Ohtani's tenure with the team.

After joining the Dodgers on a massive 10-year contract with a total value of $700 million, his first season with the organization has undoubtedly been a success.

Ohtani finished the regular season hitting .310 to go along with a National League-leading 1.036 OPS. He racked up 54 home runs, 130 RBIs and 38 doubles.

OHTANI DESTROYS A BASEBALL FOR HOME RUN NO. 46 😯

(via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/cg02hZJ2yq

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) September 8, 2024

He also stole 59 bases, become the first player in MLB history to record a 50-50 season.

FIFTY-NINE stolen bases for Shohei Ohtani!

He's been successful in 36 consecutive attempts. pic.twitter.com/J6yPkiDVyr

— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2024

Ohtani has experience in situations with high pressure, leading Japan to a World Baseball Classic title in 2023. However, he believes that the MLB postseason environment won't feel the same.

"I do think that the postseason is going to be different from the World Baseball Classic, considering that we did have a week off," Ohtani said through an interpreter, via Gonzalez. "So I'm doing the best I can to make sure that my first at-bat is really good."

He'll begin his postseason career against Padres starter Dylan Cease, who finished the regular season with a 3.47 ERA to go along with a 14-11 record in 33 starts.

Game 1 is on Saturday at 8:38 p.m. ET.

The San Diego Padres are trying their best to keep Los Angeles Dodgers fans out of Petco Park during the National League Division Series.

Dodger Blue's Matthew Moreno spotlighted a message on Ticketmaster that said ticket sales will be restricted to residents of certain areas:

Looks like Padres are continuing to restrict who can purchase tickets to playoff games at Petco Park. pic.twitter.com/4K7qHBPdVM

— Matthew Moreno (@Matthew__Moreno) October 3, 2024

Given their sizable fanbase and the close proximity between Los Angeles and San Diego, the Dodgers have historically been well-represented whenever they play at Petco Park.

For a long time, it didn't really matter that much. Sure, Padres players didn't like their usual stomping grounds turning into "Dodger Stadium South," but the team wasn't very good and the stadium wasn't selling out much anyway.

Things are a lot different now.

The Padres' late owner, Peter Seidler, sensed an opportunity when the Chargers relocated to Los Angeles and created a sports vacuum in the city. He invested heavily into the roster and improvements around Petco Park, and the fans responded in kind.

San Diego averaged the fourth-most fans (41,117) during the regular season, and Petco Park has become an imposing venue for opposing players.

Michael King was asked about his experiences pitching at Petco Park and the type of atmosphere he expects tomorrow: pic.twitter.com/EEzB1zYQQF

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) October 1, 2024

Michael King’s incredible performance, Fernando’s homer and the Petco #Postseason atmosphere …

Kyle Higashioka was blown away by it all! pic.twitter.com/Rv51SgYy22

— MLB (@MLB) October 2, 2024

Attempting to preserve that home-field advantage makes obvious sense. Why wouldn't a team do everything it can to ensure, especially for a postseason series, that those in attendance are their own fans?

This isn't just a reflection of the rivalry between the Padres and Dodgers, either. San Diego reportedly utilized the same tactics when it hosted the Philadelphia Phillies for the 2022 National League Championship Series.

The NL West adversaries will open the NLDS on Saturday. Petco Park hosts Game 3 on Oct. 8 and then Game 4, if necessary, the following night.

The San Diego Padres are moving on to the National League Division Series after completing a sweep of the Atlanta Braves with a 5-4 win on Wednesday.

The Padres will now get a matchup with the top-seeded Los Angeles Dodgers.

All five of San Diego's runs came in the bottom of the second inning, but the early lead meant the Braves had to play from behind for most of the game.

Kyle Higashioka hit his second home run of the series to get the Padres on the board, and Manny Machado followed the deep shot with a two-run RBI double. Jackson Merrill added more insurance with a two-run triple to make it a 5-1 lead.

The Braves homered in the top of the fifth and made things interesting in the eighth after Michael Harris II hit a two-run home run to make it 5-4, but the Padres ultimately kept Atlanta from getting any more runs across for the remainder of the eighth and Robert Suarez set the Braves down in order in the ninth.

Now having secured a spot in the NLDS, the Padres have an exciting matchup against their rivals. It's safe to say fans, including the ones at Petco Park on Wednesday, are excited to see the two teams square off.

Petco Park erupts with “Beat LA” chants. 📣 pic.twitter.com/AL1HgKbDCq

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 3, 2024

Padres Dodgers NLDS is going to be one for the ages.

— 𝐾𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑒 シ (@BSP_Sully) October 3, 2024

I’d assume Dodgers fans aren’t too excited to see the Padres? Feels like the Padres have had their number.

— Phillies Baseball Talk (@FightinsTalk) October 3, 2024

Dodgers x Padres match up is gonna light the city up.

— 𝕯. (@NTVE_Tongue) October 3, 2024

Padres/Dodgers will be must-watch

— Matthew Cardenas (@Matt__Card) October 3, 2024

https://twitter.com/DodgerDougan/status/1841660794347413596

That Padres Dodgers series is gonna be 🔥 https://t.co/OBG6mCaGfi

— MettaWorldCrazy (@MettaWorldCrazy) October 3, 2024

Padres-Dodgers gonna be 🔥🔥🔥🔥

— Matt Hladik (@MattHladik919) October 3, 2024

cannot wait for dodgers padres, gonna be so so good

— andrew (@peteyszn) October 3, 2024

Dodgers Padres is going to go so incredibly hard

— Nate McLean (@NateMcLean14) October 3, 2024

https://twitter.com/elvatomasfresco/status/1841680908870414486

Padres / Dodgers. This will be a battle. It will also crown the WS Winner.

— GrabTheLine (@grab_line) October 3, 2024

Heading into the division series, one thing to note is starting pitcher Joe Musgrove's status. The star exited Wednesday's game early with right elbow tightness, which isn't exactly the best news heading into an important series. Whether he will have to miss time is unclear.

The last time the Padres reached the NLDS in 2022, they faced a top-seeded Dodgers team and beat them 3-1 to advance to the NLCS, where they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies. As they take on their rivals this year, they'll hope to send them packing once again.

The San Diego Padres have a one-game lead over the Atlanta Braves after a 4-0 win in Game 1 of the National League wild card series.

Michael King, who the Padres landed before the season in the Juan Soto trade with the New York Yankees, was dominant on the mound in his first postseason start for San Diego. He had 12 strikeouts and allowed just five hits and no runs across his seven innings, setting up the Padres for the shutout.

And his offense helped him out on the other side.

Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a no-doubter to left center in the bottom of the first to give San Diego an early two-run lead. The Padres also got some solid production from Kyle Higashioka, who an a sac fly RBI in the third and a solo homer in the bottom of the eighth.

After the win, fans hyped Tatis, King and the Padres for taking care of business in Game 1.

FERNANDO TATIS JR. HITS THE FIRST HOME RUN OF THE 2024 #POSTSEASON 🚀 pic.twitter.com/XFqQ06zWTT

— MLB (@MLB) October 2, 2024

Michael King is pretty good https://t.co/PBPNdCv2Qi

— i dont know, some rock wishing palestine was free (@littleargue) October 2, 2024

Hats off to Michael King of the padres he ate us up with the strikeouts

— Bill Arey (@areyshelby) October 2, 2024

https://twitter.com/ItsSighs/status/1841307554414018783

Michael King was right

The Padres won the trade

— Al Scott (@AlScott1998) October 2, 2024

Michael king for president. Have a day kid.

— Clips (@AuraClipsNow) October 2, 2024

I love Michael King. He’s been a stud all year. That was majestic performance.

— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) October 2, 2024

fernando tatis is good at baseball

— ghost king 💀👻 (@hadesjs1) October 2, 2024

Michael King was brilliant with 7 shutout innings, striking out 12, and Fernando Tatis hit his first playoff HR in front of fans.

Padres take game one, 4-0. It's Joe Musgrove vs. Max Fried tomorrow

— Marty Caswell (@MartyCaswell) October 2, 2024

Fernando Tatis Jr. has some of the rawest no doubters, he up there with Bryce Harper

— ckj 🏜 (@ckjasper) October 2, 2024

Final: Padres 4, Braves 0

Game 1 to San Diego. Michael King shoved. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Kyle Higashioka homered and had two RBIs apiece. The Padres push a beleaguered Braves team to the brink. All six prior teams to win Game 1 of a Wild Card Series at home have swept in 2.

— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) October 2, 2024

The Padres are now just one win away from advancing to the divisional series, where they would face the Los Angeles Dodgers. They'll have Joe Musgrove on the mound while Atlanta will look to Max Fried to keep its season alive.

After a fan filed a lawsuit against the man who ended up with Shohei Ohtani's 50th home run ball last week, a second fan filed a lawsuit over rightful possession of the coveted souvenir from the Sept. 19 game, per The Athletic's Brooks Peck.

The ball is currently up for auction through Goldin Auctions with bidding up to $1.464 million.

The first lawsuit, filed by 18-year-old Max Matus against Goldin Auctions, disputes who rightfully possessed the ball that was hit at loanDepot Park against the Miami Marlins. Matus' attorneys also filed an emergency temporary injunction that would prevent the ball from being auctioned by Goldin.

Joseph Davidov filed the newest lawsuit in Florida's 11th Judicial Circuit Court and lists Matus and Goldin as defendants. It also lists Chris Belanski, who left the park with the ball and put it up for auction, and Kelvin Ramirez, citing that he has claimed an ownership interest in the ball on social media.

Davidov's lawsuit claims he was "able to firmly and completely grab the ball in his left hand while it was on the ground" before "an unknown fan wrongfully jumped over the railing, jumped onto (Davidov) and (Davidov's) arm and attacked (Davidov) causing the 50/50 Ball to come loose and roll into the hands of Defendant Chris Belanski."

The filing also claims that Davidov would have held onto the ball had it not been for the "assault of the unknown fan who jumped onto" him.

While the ball at first seemed to have not possessed the historical value of something like Aaron Judge's American League record 62nd home run ball that sold for $1.5 million in 2022, it has quickly neared that price.

Goldin changed the auction's end date from Oct. 16 to Oct. 22, a move that was made "given the volume of international interest in this item," according to Peck.