Mason Miller, recently traded to the San Diego Padres at the MLB trade deadline, shared how he quickly learned about the intense dislike Padres players harbor for their divisional rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Miller, along with JP Sears, came to the Padres from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for prospects Leo De Vries, Braden Nett, Eduarniel Núñez, and Henry Baez.
Having only played in the American League West with the Athletics, Miller noted the rivalries there, such as those with the Mariners and Astros, do not compare to the level of animosity between the Padres and Dodgers in the National League West. Upon joining the Padres clubhouse, the message was clear.
“They told me right away, ‘We don’t like those guys a whole lot,'” Miller said on “The Foul Territory” show. “I haven’t really had a rivalry to that extent. You know, they play the Mariners, play the Astros, a lot of close games, and, you know, we want to win those more than others. But not a rivalry in the sense of, you know, the Padres and the Dodgers.”
Miller expressed enthusiasm about immersing himself in these high-stakes rivalry games that hold special meaning for both players and fans.
“So I’m excited to experience that. Definitely going to be a lot of eye-opening experiences going forward, just playing in front of all these fans and in these big rivalry games that mean so much.”
Padres GM Details Why Mason Miller Was a Priority Acquisition
San Diego Padres’ general manager AJ Preller was mostly quiet during the offseason but became active after the season began, aiming to strengthen the team. Preller’s aggressive approach at the trade deadline included acquiring Mason Miller, a reliever known for his talent and effectiveness.
“He’s a super talented pitcher,” Preller told The Athletic’s Dennis Lin. “And I think … the focus now is, go do his job that he’s been so good at doing in the bullpen and help us win a championship.”
In his Padres debut, Miller secured a save against the St. Louis Cardinals, showing his capability to perform under pressure. Preller emphasized the importance of having a reliable bullpen arm to close out games.
“If we have an opportunity to shorten the game, you want to take that,” Preller added.
This season, Miller has successfully converted 20 of 23 save opportunities and maintains a 3.66 ERA. He is expected to join forces with Robert Suarez to form a strong back-end bullpen, helping the Padres in key situations.
Significance of the Rivalry and Miller’s Role Going Forward
The Padres-Dodgers rivalry in the NL West is recognized as one of MLB’s most heated, fueled by intense competition and divisional stakes. Mason Miller’s integration into the Padres’ bullpen not only adds a high-leverage arm but also brings a fresh perspective on the rivalry from someone new to the team. His awareness of the deep-seated dislike between the clubs is likely to intensify the atmosphere in future matchups.
As the season progresses, Miller’s performance will be critical in close games against the Dodgers and other NL West opponents, with the Padres aiming for a championship run. The fierce rivalry and Miller’s role provide fans and players with heightened anticipation for the battles ahead.