Mike Shildt's fake tough guy quote from last Dodgers-Padres series foreshadows drama

The last time the Dodgers and Padres saw each other, fans were treated to everything except a full-blown brawl. Multiple batters were hit, managers yelled at each other and then were ejected, benches cleared, and warnings were doled out. Despite the fireworks, the Dodgers came out on the other end of that series with the win and a 3.5-game lead over the Pads.

Things are different now. LA is trailing San Diego by a game in the NL West, marking the first time they've ceded their first place position since July 8, 2023. The Padres have won eight of their last 10 while the Dodgers have dropped six of their last 10.

There were already heavy expectations that the next series between the two teams would be tense, but there's so much more to watch out for now that the dynamic has shifted. LA is looking to prove a point, and San Diego is haughty.

During that last series, Mike Shildt and Dave Roberts came as close to blows as anyone during a benches-clearing incident in the finale. After the game, Shildt said, "It's ultimately about the defense of our team. And anybody that is going to take the steps that I feel are inappropriate against our team, then I will take action. I'm not a personal guy. I'm not a grudge guy. But I am a foxhole guy."

Mike Shildt's bombastic comments from last Dodgers-Padres series foreshadow another tense meeting

That quote is almost as funny as Manny Machado warning the Dodgers to "light a candle" and "pray" that Fernando Tatis Jr.'s X-rays came back negative after he was hit in the hand by a pitch during the last series. The Padres actively threatened the Dodgers as if they didn't hit Andy Pages in the opener. Their fans tweet things like "the Padres have five pitchers who can throw 100 MPH and can aim at Shohei Ohtani's head."

It's mostly just kind of amusing, and the Dodgers have always been able to take the high road because of their lead over the Padres, but again — the dynamic has shifted. The Dodgers are the ones who have to punch up now.

The Dodgers are always looking to make a statement when they're playing the Padres, but they have even more to prove this weekend. They can either take their lead back or let the Padres' childish trash talk reign supreme.