Baseball is a game of numbers, but the LA Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants rivalry is a game of ghosts. If you walk into Oracle Park or Dodger Stadium during a series, the air just feels different. It’s heavy. It’s thick with the memory of Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, and the distinct smell of garlic fries mixed with resentment.
Last season ended on a surreal note. On September 21, 2025, the Giants beat the Dodgers 3-1 at Dodger Stadium. That win did more than just pad a regular-season record; it left the all-time regular-season series between these two franchises in a deadlock. After 136 years and thousands of games, the count stood at 1,288 wins for the Dodgers, 1,288 wins for the Giants, and 17 ties.
You literally cannot make this up.
The Stalemate of the Century
When people talk about the LA Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants, they usually pick a side based on where they live or who their dad rooted for. But looking at the raw data, it’s hard to find a more balanced hatred in professional sports. The Dodgers have more World Series titles (9 to the Giants' 8) and more National League pennants (26 to 23).
However, the Giants lead the postseason head-to-head 8-6, thanks in large part to the 1889 World Series—back when the Dodgers were the Brooklyn Bridegrooms. Yeah, this thing goes back that far.
Kinda wild, right?
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The 2025 season was a microcosm of this chaos. The Dodgers were coming off a massive high, having won back-to-back World Series titles in 2024 and 2025. They were the juggernaut. Shohei Ohtani was hitting his 53rd home run of the year against San Francisco in September, looking every bit the $700 million man. But the Giants, despite being in a bit of a transition phase, still found ways to be a thorn in LA's side.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rivalry
A lot of casual fans think this is just a regional California thing. Honestly, it’s a New York transplant story that never finished its final chapter. When both teams moved west in 1958, they didn't just bring their bats and gloves; they brought a century of Brooklyn vs. Manhattan spite.
- The "East Coast Bias": The Giants dominated the early years in New York, leading the series 722–671–17 before the move.
- The "West Coast Shift": Since arriving in California, the Dodgers have flipped the script, leading 617–566.
- The 2021 NLDS: This was the first time they ever met in the modern playoffs. The Dodgers won in five games, but many Giants fans still point to the "check swing" call on Wilmer Flores as a moment that should've gone the other way.
If you ask a Giants fan about that series, bring a drink. You’re going to be there for a while.
Why 2026 is the True "Tiebreaker" Year
Because the 2025 season ended in that perfect 1,288-1,288 tie, every single game in 2026 carries historic weight. We aren't just looking at the standings; we are looking at who gets to claim the all-time lead for the first time since the 19th century.
The first regular-season meeting is set for April 21, 2026, at Oracle Park.
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Basically, the Giants are trying to prove that the Dodgers' recent spending spree—Ohtani, Yamamoto, Glasnow—can still be derailed by "Giants Baseball." That's the gritty, pitching-heavy, situational hitting style that won them three rings in five years back in the 2010s. Meanwhile, the Dodgers are trying to cement themselves as the greatest dynasty of the 21st century.
Key Names to Watch
Watch out for the young guys. While Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani grab the headlines, the Giants are leaning on guys like Marco Luciano and whoever they land in the 2025-26 offseason to bridge the gap. Tyler Glasnow has been the steady hand for LA on the mound, but San Francisco's pitching staff always seems to find a way to induce those frustrating ground balls right when the Dodgers have the bases loaded.
The Actionable Insight for Fans
If you're planning on catching a game this season, don't just look at the win-loss record. Look at the pitching matchups. Historically, the Giants perform significantly better against LA when they can keep the ball in the park—which is a tall order against the Dodgers' league-leading home run rate.
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- Check the Starters: The Dodgers' rotation is elite, but they are vulnerable to high-strikeout games.
- The Venue Factor: Dodger Stadium is a home run haven, while Oracle Park’s "Triples Alley" can turn a 400-foot blast into a loud out.
- Tickets: Expect to pay a premium. The May 11-14 series at Dodger Stadium is already seeing high demand, with tickets starting around $134.
The LA Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants matchup isn't just a game on the calendar. It’s a 136-year-old argument that is currently tied. If you call yourself a baseball fan, you have to watch what happens next.
Next steps for your 2026 season prep:
- Mark April 21 on your calendar: This is the first chance for either team to break the 1,288-1,288 tie.
- Monitor the injury reports: Specifically, look at the Dodgers' pitching depth, as their heavy usage in the 2025 postseason could lead to some early-season resting.
- Book Oracle Park tickets early: If you're heading to San Francisco, the "City Connect" Tuesday games are usually the most atmospheric (and loud).