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SAN DIEGO – The Los Angeles Dodgers giggled, shook their heads and, like everyone else in Los Angeles, can't wait to see what Friday night brings.

The last time the Dodgers and San Diego Padres gathered at Chavez Ravine, fans booed, cheered, threw bottles and cans onto the field and cursed Padres star Manny Machado.

Now they play each other one last time this season on Friday in a winner-take-all game after the Dodgers' 8-0 win over the Padres forced a Game 5.

The winner advances to the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets.

The loser goes home for the winter and wonders if he just blew his best chance to win the World Series.

“There's going to be a lot of emotion, it's about the winner,” Dodgers center fielder Kevin Kiermaier told USA TODAY Sports Think of them here, and I know what they think of us.

“It's fun, you know. That's how it should be, especially in October. There will be a lot of excitement.

But what will it be like for Machado, public enemy No. 1 for Dodgers fans?

“Oh man,” Kiermaier said. “I don't know it. Dodger fans booed him in the first two games, and now that it's a winner-take-all game, I expect Dodger fans to come out and…” Let the boys bring it here.

“We need everything we can get and the crowd on our side to create momentum. I expect Dodger fans to hear it right from the start.

The Dodgers have already appealed to their fans to behave civilly, reminding them that the best revenge is simply to win on the field.

“I expect it to be live,” said Max Muncy, who played first base in Game 2 in place of Freddie Freeman. “We’ll see what happens.”

And the team's message to fans?

“Bring energy, that’s all I’m going to say,” Muncy said. “Be smart. I assume it will be a live atmosphere. All four games in this series had an extremely live atmosphere, both at home and at home. There was more here than we have seen in recent years.

We'll soon find out how much fun awaits Machado, who drew the Dodgers' ire in Game 2 when he threw a ball toward the Dodgers' dugout between innings, infuriating Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after he had watched the video it was thrown on purpose. The Dodgers even sent a video to the MLB offices to determine whether Machado should be disciplined. MLB did not fine him.

Fans also took their anger out on Machado and outfielders Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jurickson Profar, who threw objects onto the field during the game, causing a 10-minute delay.

“It’s going to be good,” said three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw. “Obviously (San Diego) is pretty loud. I think Dodgers fans, it will be more of the same. Of course I hope we don’t do that.” There are no delays like we have. We still want the energy. We still want the atmosphere.

“You always get a game where it's all about the winner, whether it's the Division Series, the World Series or anything in between, it's exciting. “It’ll be a lot of fun to watch.”

F

Machado, who went hitless in four at-bats and two strikeouts Wednesday, insists he's not worried about the reaction.

“I love playing baseball,” Machado said. “We go out and have fun. We leave it on the field for 27 outs every day, day in and day out.”

“The crowds here have been incredible for us all year long. I’m sure her audience will be amazing for her.”

Sure, the Padres wanted to win in front of their hometown fans. 47,773 spectators turned up hoping to see a celebration of their bitter rivals on Wednesday.

“I mean, listen, I'm looking forward to Friday,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “How much fun will this be?”

The Dodgers share the same sentiment, having survived an elimination game and are poised to win back-to-back postseason games for the first time since 2021.

“I think when you go through a regular season, a lot of things are kind of calculated,” Roberts said, “and there are a lot of variables because you're playing for the long haul.” But when you get to the postseason, it's a road fight. It's about people, players, and your desire must be more than your opponent's. …

“We knew it wouldn’t be easy. Nothing is easy. So you simply have to take all the cards that are dealt to you and play them. And that's exactly what we did. “Seeing our guys go through what they’ve been through and how they respond makes me really excited for Game 5.”

The Dodgers believe their potent offense can carry them forward, especially with Mookie Betts overcoming his three-year postseason lull. He was 3-for-44 in his last 12 postseason games until the Dodgers got to Petco Park after two games and suddenly it was 4-for-9 and he got one in his first at-bat in two games Home run. Return games.

“I had to turn off all social media because it was all negative,” Betts said. “And I had to create a positive mood within myself. And my team did it… My teammates did a great job trying to instill confidence in me.''

Muncy said: “I know he had some problems in the postseason, but he is still one of the best players in baseball. He had a bad stretch, but I think the biggest thing for him was getting that out of his head. I tell him, 'Hey, you're getting $400 (million) too, bro.' 'You're still one of the best players in baseball.' Sometimes you just need to be reminded of who you are.

The Padres, whose three players earn more than $250 million themselves, start Yu Darvish, who had just three hits and one run in seven innings in the Padres' 10-2 win on Sunday.

When Shildt was asked how much confidence he had in Darvish, he didn't hesitate.

“He was fantastic,” Shildt said. “Confidence? He has (204) wins in his career. Pitched for a long time. Pitched on big stages. Pitched in international competitions and pitched very well in this stadium. He’s one of the better pitchers of this generation.”

Four games later, an emotional battle to go and a night that will forever be remembered in the Dodgers-Padres rivalry.

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On By John Fenwick

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