Trevor Hoffman's take on Dodgers fans should ratchet up Padres' rivalry

The San Diego Padres still view the Los Angeles Dodgers as their biggest rival. That makes sense, considering their fellow Southern California club has been one of the most successful organizations in baseball recently.

The Padres are always chasing the Dodgers in the NL West standings, and the Friars use LA as a measuring stick each season. While this is true, is it a two-way street? Do the Dodgers view the Padres as a rival? Los Angeles is chasing World Series dreams every season, but so are the Padres. The biggest difference is that the Dodgers actually make the World Series, and even win sometimes.

From that, the Dodgers may overlook San Diego as a threat, but Padres great Trevor Hoffman wants this rivalry to still be a big deal.

Trevor Hoffman wants Padres-Dodgers rivalry to be taken seriously on both sides

"It's been pretty well-documented that they don't consider us much of a rival, Hoffman said. "But I know those south of Los Angeles, we take it pretty serious."

Since 2022 - the last time the Padres reached the NLCS - the Friars have a 19-33 record against Los Angeles. In 2025, the Dodgers are 5-2 against San Diego. It's not quite an even rivalry, despite both teams looking to contend in the postseason.

Hoffman will always be an all-time great, and he will always see the Dodgers a rival. He recorded his 500th career save against Los Angeles, and became the first player in history to reach that mark. He also holds a career 2.92 ERA in 101 2/3 innings against the Dodgers with 105 strikeouts, which are the most K's against any team in his career. But other Padres players cannot say they have had the same type of success against LA as he did.

Hoffman is correct in viewing the Dodgers as a rival. Hopefully, San Diego starts playing more competitively against Los Angeles, and Dodger fans will begin to show more respect in this divisional rivalry. The two clubs have a three-game slate against one another in Los Angeles from August 15-17 in their final matchup of the 2025 regular season. Let's hope the Friars can back up Hoffman's words.