Padres adopt familiar move to keep Los Angeles fans out of Petco Park

The San Diego Padres are doing their best to keep Dodgers fans from attending NLDS games played at Petco Park.

For those who were hoping to attend Game 3 and/or Game 4 in San Diego, this will not be possible according to the latest message from Ticketmaster.

“Petco Park is located in San Diego. Sales for this event will be limited to residents of San Diego County, southern Orange County, western Arizona, Las Vegas and surrounding areas, as well as than all of Baja California,” the message states. “Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders from residents outside of San Diego County, South Orange County, Western Arizona, Las Vegas and of its surroundings, as well as all of Baja California, will be canceled without notice and without refund.”

The message stands in stark contrast to the “Beat LA” chants that erupted Wednesday night after the Padres earned a 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

It almost seems like the Padres are afraid of a navy blue taking over Petco Park, something no team wants to see in their stadium.

The Dodgers hope to get their revenge in the best-of-five NLDS. The last time the two teams met in the postseason, the Padres beat Los Angeles in four games in 2022.

It was a shocking loss for the Dodgers team that won 111 regular season games. The Dodgers’ last game with the Padres was in late September.

The rivalry game was almost a practice session for the upcoming NLDS. The Dodgers won two of three games at Chavez Ravine, a feat that earned Los Angeles its 11th division title for the past 12 years.

The Dodgers finished the regular season with baseball’s best record at 98-64. Although the Padres didn’t finish with as good a record, San Diego finished the year as baseball’s hottest team since the All-Star break.

For years, the Padres have been trying to remove their title as “little brother” from the franchise. The Dodgers have always been the team to beat, while the Padres have often been overlooked.

However, in recent years, the San Diego organization has built a star-studded empire. Their alignment is dangerous and their throwing is just as much of a threat.

The latest move to keep Dodgers fans out of Petco Park doesn’t quite echo the strength of the Padres, however. It’s almost as if the Dodgers are the one insecurity the Padres can’t escape.

Fans just have to wait a few more days until the NLDS kicks off at Dodger Stadium.