Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Rivals Dodgers, Giants Prepare for Instant Playoff Classic
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 4 years ago on
October 8, 2021

Share

Mookie Betts is ready to throw out all the wins his Dodgers and the rival Giants piled up on the way to a frenetic regular-season finish.

San Francisco edged the defending World Series champions by a single game for first place in the NL West, 107 victories to 106 — a total of 213 wins between them.

It’s a new playoff stage now with baseball’s two hottest teams in a best-of-five NL Division Series. Game 1 is Friday night in the Bay Area.

“I think all the 106 games are out the window now. It didn’t help us win the division, so it’s really irrelevant,” Betts said after the Dodgers earned a 3-1 wild card win over the Cardinals to set up this instant NLDS classic. “We’re in the spot we are now. We’ve got to play the hand we’re dealt. … Obviously, use what you learned in 106 wins. You just try and apply it to now. Other than that, those 106 are irrelevant.”

Series ‘Going to Be a Mad House’

And no doubt you can take this rivalry up a notch or two before the first pitch is even thrown, because the Dodgers and Giants are meeting on the big October stage for the first time.

“This series is going to be a mad house at both places,” Giants third baseman Evan Longoria said Thursday.

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager, right, hits a two-run home run as San Diego Padres catcher Victor Caratini watches during the eighth inning on Sept. 29, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The storied franchises go way, way back to their memorable New York days.

In 1951 and ’62 the clubs faced off in a best-of-three NL tiebreaker, with the Giants winning both times.

“These are two historic organizations in the game,” Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen said. “It’s fun playing the rivalry, and tomorrow we’ll be ready for it.”

They were about as even as you can get meeting head-to-head this year: The Giants won the season series 10-9, while the Dodgers outscored San Francisco 80-78.

Playoff Everybody Longed to See

Los Angeles had won the previous eight division titles.

“For me it kind of felt like this was how it was going to end up anyway,” Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski said. “I felt like I didn’t even have to watch the (wild-card) game to figure out who we were going to play.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts realizes this is the playoff matchup everybody longed to see after all these teams did to get here.

“There’s a lot of familiarity, which makes it fun, even more challenging,” Roberts said. “It’s going to be a fantastic series.”

San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler, middle, celebrates with LaMonte Wade Jr. (31) and Brandon Crawford (35) after the Giants defeated the San Diego Padres to clinch a postseason berth on Sept. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Pondering the Format

Longoria wishes these teams could play a bit deeper in October and not face an early exit.

“I feel like this may also be a series or a moment where baseball may have to think about restructuring the way that the playoffs happen — 106 and 107 wins doesn’t feel like a DS matchup,” Longoria said. “Especially because the season is so long, for two teams to win that many games and then one of them to have to go home this early.”

Told of his player’s take, manager Gabe Kapler stayed straight.

“We want to be good with whatever the rules are,” Kapler said.

Webb’s Prep

Right-hander Logan Webb takes the ball in Game 1 for the Giants in his postseason debut, though Kapler considered his gem during Sunday’s division-clinching 11-4 victory against the Padres the equivalent of a playoff game and atmosphere.

Webb went 10-0 since a May 5 loss at Colorado.

“Honestly, it’s crazy to me that this is the first time that we’ve played each other in the playoffs,” he said. “So to be a part, even a part of that is pretty cool for me.”

Los Angeles will counter in Game 1 with right-hander Walker Buehler, a 16-game winner over 33 starts.

Buehler went 3-1 against San Francisco this year but lost Sept. 5 in the season series finale after he had gone 7-0 with a 1.83 ERA over his initial 12 outings and 10 starts against the Giants.

Pujols’ Chance

Dodgers slugger Albert Pujols gets his chance on the postseason stage once more at age 41. Before Los Angeles worked out, Pujols spent a few minutes against the dugout railing taking in the scene.

This will be the slugger’s first playoffs since the 2014 ALDS with the Angels, who designated him for assignment in May before he landed with the other Los Angeles team later that month.

“It never gets old,” Pujols said. “This is what you play for, this is what you work hard for. Thank God for giving me another opportunity to open the door with the Dodgers and to be able to be in the postseason once again.”

Connections Galore

Roberts played his final two major league seasons for the Giants from 2007-08. He and Kapler were teammates at Double-A Jacksonville in 1998 and again on the 2004 Red Sox.

“Saw him steal one of the biggest bases in the history of baseball to some degree, but definitely in the history of the Red Sox,” Kapler said.

Farhan Zaidi, Giants president of baseball operations, was hired away from the Dodgers after the 2018 season, then he brought in ex-Dodgers farm director Kapler as manager in November 2019 following his firing by the Phillies after two losing seasons.

“We’re trying to win a series and they’re in our way,” Roberts said.

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager, right, hits a two-run home run as San Diego Padres catcher Victor Caratini watches during the eighth inning on Sept. 29, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

US-China Tariff Talks to Continue Sunday, an Official Tells The Associated Press

DON'T MISS

Has America Given Up on Children’s Learning?

DON'T MISS

Could Trump Team Suspend Habeas Corpus to Expedite Deportations?

DON'T MISS

Two Teens Charged in Shooting Death of Caleb Quick

DON'T MISS

India and Pakistan Agree to a Ceasefire After Their Worst Military Escalation in Decades

DON'T MISS

Ukraine and Allies Urge Putin to Commit to a 30-Day Ceasefire or Face New Sanctions

DON'T MISS

Soviet-Era Spacecraft Plunges to Earth After 53 Years Stuck in Orbit

DON'T MISS

Tax the Rich? Slash Spending? Republicans Wrestle With Economic Priorities in the Trump Era

DON'T MISS

Israeli Airstrikes Kill 23 in Gaza as Outcry Over Aid Blockade Grows

DON'T MISS

Experts Call Kennedy’s Plan to find Autism’s Cause Unrealistic

UP NEXT

The State Law Taking a Financial Toll on California Budgets

UP NEXT

‘Luigi Mangione Act’ Seeks to Block Health Insurance Denials, Sparks Outrage Over Name

UP NEXT

Floods Exposed Weaknesses in California Prisons’ Emergency Plans. They Still Aren’t Ready

UP NEXT

Other States Are Showing California How to Protect Its Budget Without Cutting Needed Services

UP NEXT

Shohei Ohtani Could Have Landed 15-Year Deal, Agent Says, but He Didn’t Want to Risk Skills Decline

UP NEXT

Los Angeles Coliseum and SoFi Stadium to Share Opening and Closing Ceremonies for 2028 Olympics

UP NEXT

Freeman’s Bases-Loaded Triple Helps Dodgers Beat Marlins

UP NEXT

Robbie Ray Pitches 6 Effective Innings as the Giants Beat the Cubs

UP NEXT

Head Start Gets a Reprieve From Trump Budget Cuts, but the Fight Isn’t Over

UP NEXT

Kaiser in the Hot Seat as CA Lawmakers Blast Company for Skipping Mental Health Hearing

Two Teens Charged in Shooting Death of Caleb Quick

20 hours ago

India and Pakistan Agree to a Ceasefire After Their Worst Military Escalation in Decades

20 hours ago

Ukraine and Allies Urge Putin to Commit to a 30-Day Ceasefire or Face New Sanctions

20 hours ago

Soviet-Era Spacecraft Plunges to Earth After 53 Years Stuck in Orbit

20 hours ago

Tax the Rich? Slash Spending? Republicans Wrestle With Economic Priorities in the Trump Era

20 hours ago

Israeli Airstrikes Kill 23 in Gaza as Outcry Over Aid Blockade Grows

20 hours ago

Experts Call Kennedy’s Plan to find Autism’s Cause Unrealistic

20 hours ago

Trump’s Trip to Saudi Arabia Raises the Prospect of US Nuclear Cooperation With the Kingdom

20 hours ago

Oh Ohtani! Dodgers Star Hits 3-Run Homer in Late Rally Victory Over Diamondbacks

20 hours ago

Tariff Talks Begin Between US and Chinese Officials in Geneva

21 hours ago

US-China Tariff Talks to Continue Sunday, an Official Tells The Associated Press

GENEVA — Sensitive talks between U.S. and Chinese delegations over tariffs that threaten to upend the global economy ended after a day of pr...

13 hours ago

https://www.communitymedical.org/thecause?utm_source=Misfit+Digital&utm_medium=GVWire+Banner+Ads&utm_campaign=Branding+2025&utm_content=thecause
13 hours ago

US-China Tariff Talks to Continue Sunday, an Official Tells The Associated Press

16 hours ago

Has America Given Up on Children’s Learning?

18 hours ago

Could Trump Team Suspend Habeas Corpus to Expedite Deportations?

The Clovis Police Department identified two suspects they have arrested in connection with the murder of Caleb Quick, 18, at a Saturday, May 10, 2025, news conference. (GV Wire Composite)
20 hours ago

Two Teens Charged in Shooting Death of Caleb Quick

20 hours ago

India and Pakistan Agree to a Ceasefire After Their Worst Military Escalation in Decades

20 hours ago

Ukraine and Allies Urge Putin to Commit to a 30-Day Ceasefire or Face New Sanctions

20 hours ago

Soviet-Era Spacecraft Plunges to Earth After 53 Years Stuck in Orbit

20 hours ago

Tax the Rich? Slash Spending? Republicans Wrestle With Economic Priorities in the Trump Era

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend