SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers are at it again, embroiled in a heated rivalry that has escalated to new heights just before their pivotal Game 3 in the National League Division Series. Tied at one game each, both teams are gearing up for what promises to be an electrifying match at Petco Park on Tuesday night (9:08 p.m. ET on FS1). As the stakes rise, so does the tension, with both sides exchanging barbs and accusations that have fans and analysts buzzing.

Long considered the underdogs of Southern California, the Padres have found a renewed sense of confidence. While they may lack the big-budget superstars—no $700 million players or $325 million pitchers—the Padres are flaunting a swagger that rivals that of the historically dominant Dodgers. They seem poised to make a statement, aiming to send the Dodgers packing while they celebrate their own potential World Series run this November.

The intensity of their rivalry flared during Game 2 of the series when players and fans alike were caught up in the moment. After an incident in Game 2 involving fans throwing debris onto the field, Padres reliever Jeremiah Estrada expressed deep concern about the safety implications, stating, "If I was the commissioner of baseball, I wouldn’t even allow a Game 5 at their place. That’s hard to control people. Something’s going to happen."

Estrada, who grew up idolizing the Dodgers, lamented the behavior of some fans, urging that the rivalry should never escalate to dangerous levels. He emphasized, "At the end of the day, it's just baseball. You guys are ruining the legacy of Dodger Stadium by throwing beer cans at us."

The Dodgers, under the leadership of manager Dave Roberts, were not quick to defend the rowdy behavior of their supporters either. They suggested that the Padres' provocative antics—such as Fernando Tatis Jr.’s choreographed dances and Manny Machado’s heated exchanges—were setting the stage for this charged atmosphere. Machado's tossing of a baseball toward the Dodgers’ dugout, which left Roberts fuming over potential disrespect, further fueled the fire.

As the Padres gear up for the next game, the excitement in San Diego is palpable. Having attracted a franchise-record 3.3 million fans this season, they are expecting a sea of support that could be a decisive factor against the backdrop of a buzzing Petco Park.

"There’s going to be a lot of energy in our ballpark," said Padres manager Mike Shildt. "We don’t need 50,000 people throwing stuff at us to show our unity and strength, but it sure proves the point that we’re together and not backing down."

With each team having significant pressure on them, both the Padres and Dodgers are well aware of the implications of Game 3. The Dodgers face scrutiny as they aim to avoid a third consecutive early exit from the postseason, a reality that would be difficult to swallow given their regular-season success.

Roberts acknowledges the weight of the moment: "It's going to be hostile. It’s going to be noisy and rowdy. And it's up to us to stay focused and compete and fight. If not, it could be another long winter for us trying to figure out why we can't win in October."

As the Padres prepare to bask in the warmth of their home crowd, the stage is set for a show of resilience and rivalry that may just redefine the narrative of this Southern California clash. Buckle up, because Game 3 is not just another playoff game—it's an all-out war for supremacy in the National League!