Dodgers vs Giants
How Close Is the Dodgers vs Giants Rivalry?
The all-time regular-season series between these two storied franchises remains the tightest in professional sports — almost perfectly split after more than 2,500 meetings. As of May 2026, San Francisco holds the slimmest possible edge: 1,291 wins to 1,288 for Los Angeles. After the Dodgers briefly took the series lead late in 2025, the Giants won the season finale to re-establish the margin heading into 2026. That razor-thin gap is exactly why every game between them carries historic weight.
Since the divisional era began in 1969, Los Angeles has dominated the NL West with 23 division titles, compared to nine for San Francisco. The Bay Area club, however, has claimed the last two World Series championships between the pair — winning it all in 2010, 2012, and 2014.
Which Dodgers hitters performed best against the Giants in 2025?
Los Angeles featured a relentless offense that consistently punished San Francisco’s pitching staff. The September 13, 2025 matchup — a 13–7 Dodgers victory — showcased their lineup depth:
| Player | AB | H | HR | RBI | AVG | Notable moment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shohei Ohtani (DH) | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | .600 | 454-ft HR, scored 3 runs |
| Teoscar Hernández (RF) | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .500 | 2 doubles, 3 RBI |
| Freddie Freeman (1B) | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .200 | Clutch 2-RBI hit |
| Mookie Betts (SS) | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .200 | RBI single |
| Miguel Rojas (3B/2B) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .667 | 2 doubles, 2 runs |
Source: MLB Advanced Media / Fox Sports Box Score, September 13, 2025
Ohtani went 3-for-5 with a 454-foot home run and scored three times. Hernández added two doubles and three RBIs, while Freeman contributed two clutch RBIs of his own. The Dodgers collected 17 hits as a team — a complete offensive effort.
How did Giants hitters respond?
San Francisco had several individual bright spots, even when the final score went against them:
Matt Chapman (3B): 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI. He consistently found gaps in the Dodgers’ defense.
Willy Adames (SS): 1-for-3 with a run-scoring single that sparked San Francisco’s early offense.
Rafael Devers (DH/3B): 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk. His patience at the plate set the table for the middle of the order.
Jerar Encarnación (LF): 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored.
Heliot Ramos (CF): Homered on September 20 and scored twice in the September 13 contest.
These performances show the Giants won individual matchups throughout the series, even when the overall outcome didn’t fall their way.
Who dominated the pitching matchups in 2025–2026?
Dodgers pitching highlights:
Clayton Kershaw went 4.1 innings on September 13, allowing 4 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 6. Shohei Ohtani delivered arguably his finest mound performance of the rivalry on May 13, 2026 — 7 shutout innings, 8 strikeouts, 105 pitches — earning the win in a 4–0 complete-game effort.
Giants pitching highlights:
Logan Webb had an uncharacteristically rough outing on September 13 (4 IP, 6 ER), but bounced back with 7 strong innings on September 19 (4 H, 1 ER, 5 K). He remains one of the NL’s premier starters. Robbie Ray struggled on May 12, 2026, allowing 5 earned runs in 4.2 innings against Los Angeles’s deep lineup.
2025–2026 series results at a glance
| Date | Score | Winner | Key performer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 13, 2025 | 13–7 | Dodgers | Hernández (2 2B, 3 RBI) |
| Sep 19, 2025 | 2–1 | Dodgers | Freeman (walk-off hit) |
| Sep 20, 2025 | 6–3 | Dodgers | Ohtani (HR, 3 RBI) |
| Sep 21, 2025 | 3–1 | Giants | Patrick Bailey (RBI double) |
| May 12, 2026 | 9–3 | Giants | Rafael Devers (HR) |
| May 13, 2026 | 4–0 | Dodgers | Ohtani (W, 8 K, shutout) |
Sources: ESPN, FanGraphs, 2025–2026
What makes this rivalry so unique?
Over 130 years of history. The two franchises first met in 1890 — predating the modern World Series by more than a decade.
Only one postseason meeting. Despite generations of regular-season battles, they didn’t meet in the playoffs until the 2021 NLDS, when Los Angeles advanced after San Francisco won the regular-season series 10–9.
A geographic fault line. When both clubs relocated to California in 1958, Northern California vs. Southern California instantly became a cultural clash played out on the diamond every spring and summer.
Generational stars on both sides. Mays, Koufax, Bonds, Kershaw, Posey, Betts — each era delivers new figures who write new chapters.
Frequently asked questions
Who leads the all-time series?
San Francisco leads 1,291–1,288 as of May 2026 — the closest long-running series record in professional sports.
What are Shohei Ohtani’s best moments against San Francisco?
His 454-foot home run on September 13, 2025, and his complete-game shutout with 8 strikeouts on May 13, 2026, stand as his two defining rivalry performances.
How has Freddie Freeman performed in this rivalry?
Freeman drove in two runs on September 13, 2025, and delivered the go-ahead hit in a 2–1 win on September 19. He is reliable in close, high-leverage situations.
Who is the Giants’ best pitcher against Los Angeles?
Logan Webb remains San Francisco’s ace. One rough outing aside, he pitched 7 strong innings in the September 19 game and is the pitcher the Giants trust most in this matchup.
Have these teams met in the postseason?
Yes — once. The 2021 NLDS went to the Dodgers. It remains the only playoff meeting in over 130 years of competition.
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