2016 NLDS Game 4 Collapse vs Cubs

Lore & Background

The first meeting between the two teams occurred during the seventh game of the 1969 season at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 1969. The Padres finished their inaugural season with a 52–110 record and did not have a winning season for nearly a decade. The Padres' fortunes began to shift near the end of the 1970s as they had their first winning season in 1978. In 1996, after trailing the Dodgers by two games heading into the final series of the season against them, the Padres recorded a three-game sweep at Dodger Stadium to win the division crown.

In 1998, the Padres had their most wins in franchise history with 98, won the NL West again, and won the National League pennant for the first time since 1984, but were swept in four games by the New York Yankees in the World Series. To date, 1998 represents San Diego's last World Series appearance. In the 2000s, the NL West race was the closest race ever between the two rivals, playing in perhaps their most memorable series in September 2006, including the 4+1 Game on September 18, 2006, where the Dodgers hit four consecutive home runs in the ninth inning to tie the game and won 11–10 in extra innings.

Reader's Guide

As of the season, the Dodgers currently lead the rivalry 532–431–1 in the regular season and 7–5 in postseason play. Additionally, the Dodgers have won 5 World Series Championships since the Padres came into existence in 1969. The Padres are still yet to win a title, coming closest in 1984 and 1998 (losing 4 games to 1 against the Detroit Tigers in 1984 and being swept by the New York Yankees in 1998). Since 1969, the Dodgers also lead in National League Pennants (10 vs. 2 in that time) and Divisional titles (23 vs. 5).