Sports Evolve
Why Giants and Dodgers rivalry easily surpasses others in baseball
Brigit Adongo
The rivalry between opponents in sports is a common occurrence, and most times, or perhaps always, a showdown between rivals is the most anticipated one where fans await thrilling matches, races or meet-ups.
From football between countries and clubs to car racing between brands and drivers, all the way to tennis, basketball, and…baseball. When it comes to baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants are arguably the best rivals, and there are countless reasons to think so.
Spanning over almost a century and a half, the two sides have had heated and entertaining showdowns from their first meeting in May 1890 to date. And to keep the rivalry fire burning, both teams moved from their New York base to California.
Their competition is considered the greatest in the sport's history because both teams have been in the game for over a century, making their opposition grow from a fight between cities to a state.
The two sides won the most pennants in MLB history, the Giants losing out by one with 23 against the Dodgers' 24. When it comes to World Series titles, the Giants lead by one, as they have eight while the Dodgers have seven.
In regular-season series, the Giants have 22 more than the Dodgers, with the sides garnering 1269 and 1247 respectively. They ended two seasons (1951 and 1962) tied in the first place and the winner (Giants both times) had to be determined from the tie-breaker series.
Their largest victories differ by a single run, 18 (1993, 1938, 1944) to 17 (2014) in favour of the Giants, while the Dodgers surpass them in National League West wins, as they have 19 against the Giants' 9.
This rivalry now has a new face as they meet in the postseason for the first time. With how narrowly each beats the other in various categories, their competitiveness is probably the best to ever be seen, and fans await a good show for three days starting tomorrow.
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Buster Posey unsurprisingly shines in the postseason first game against Dodgers
The highly anticipated first-ever post-season game between rivals the Giants and Dodgers kicked off on Friday night and was a feast for the eyes and the heart. Fans were treated to an exhilarating show that saw a two-run opposite-field homer caught by a boater's fishing net.
The San Francisco Giants defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0 in the first of three postseason games, thanks to a 3-0 homer from Buster Posey.
Unsurprisingly, Posey, 34, came in handy to help the Giants shine once more against the Dodgers, with the catcher nearly becoming the first right-handed Giants player to launch a splash hit.
Was his performance unexpected, though? Of course not. Posey has been swinging homers frequently this season, and everyone probably expected him to do that. Even though they knew he would do that, Posey was probably too good to be stopped.
Leaving a base open to venture into Posey's strike zone, the Dodgers pitcher, Anthony Buehler, paid for it dearly as his opponent played a perfect piece to earn the fifth postseason homer of his career.
The 2016 gold glove award winner was determined to impress fans after opting out of the 2020 season. He wasn't going to let off his opponents, no matter how much they knew him or what style they would play.
Buehler admitted that he knew what Posey would do, but still couldn't counter it and accepted "it is what it is."
The 3-time World Series winner admitted that he was definitely jittery, but the nerves helped him stay focused. "There are definitely butterflies, but those can be helpful…heighten focus," Posey stated. He added that he "got a pitch I can handle" after admitting that Buehler is no easy opponent.
The Giants' oldest player to get a postseason homer will be essential in their next two games against their oldest rivals as they look to take the win after a great start.
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