“So what do you think about what they’re doing, and how much does that motivate you to, of course, slay the dragon, for lack of a friendlier term?” – this pointed question asked of Diamondbacks manager Mike Hazen captures the heart of a most complicated dynamic that exists between the team and their most threatening rivalry, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hazen, however, bore no bitterness or dismissiveness in his response. In fact, it was a surprising admission of the Dodgers’ runaway dominance, one of the few times a rival manager has praised the team, and that has sent ripples through the National League West.
The Diamondbacks and Dodgers will face off again May 8, 2025, at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. There’s a lot at stake in the looming showdown, which will be the first regular-season meeting between the clubs since the Dodgers secured the NL West crown at Chase Field last year. The Dbacks are ready to prove themselves against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers and end their ten-game losing streak to them.
However, that recent comment from their manager indicates a deeper understanding of the challenges of what’s to come. He sees the Dodgers not just as a product of their financial resources but as a product of an organization with an ideal culture that has always been bent on excellence, not dollar signs. “Go look at how they draft and develop, go look at the young kids that are on their roster,” Hazen remarked, highlighting the Dodgers’ ability to cultivate young talent and integrate them seamlessly into their major league squad.
“We’re gonna have to deal with them”
Mike Hazen doesn’t sound intimidated by the @Dodgers wild offseason pic.twitter.com/qM6sy7IyYZ
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) March 11, 2025
Indeed, the Dodgers boast a wealth of promising young players, including Josue De Paula, their No. 3 prospect and No. 40 overall, as well as Zyhir Hope, their No. 6 prospect and No. 74 overall. Along with established veterans, these rising stars contribute to the Dodgers’ feared lineup and their winning ways. Moreover, Hazen gave credit to the Dodgers for their staying power in overcoming pitching injuries.
Mike Hazen pointed out the team’s ability to “withstand the pitching injuries they had, let’s say, last year” as evidence of organizational depth and flexibility. After losing Michael Grove to season-ending shoulder surgery and Tony Gonsolin to a back injury, the Dodgers have found their ways to maintain their competitive edge.
The Dodger invasion: Diamondbacks fight for home advantage
The Diamondbacks are off to a mixed spring, currently in ninth place in the Cactus League with an 8-10 record. Despite all the losing, there have been a couple of individual bright spots. The 25-year-old catcher Gabriel Moreno is a revelation, hitting his second Cactus League home run in a Wednesday game against the Dodgers. Drey Jameson, who sat out the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, also looked good, running his fastball up into the triple digits consistently. In terms of the regular season, these young kids give the Diamondbacks an ounce of hope.
Interestingly, the Diamondbacks recently faced the Dodgers in a spring training game, when the Dodgers emerged victorious with a 6-2 win. The game ended in a loss, but it offered a preview of the Diamondbacks’ strategic mindset. They used an “opener” strategy, opening the game with a reliever before bringing in a traditional starter. The strategy, designed to neutralize the Dodgers’ powerful lineup, was somewhat effective, as stars like Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman combined to hit just. 242 in the series. It remains to be seen if this approach will be used in the regular season, but it certainly adds an interesting wrinkle to their tactical toolkit.
The Diamondbacks-Dodgers rivalry has been building for years, with moments that have carved themselves into the lore of baseball. One of the more famous ones went down in 2013, when a benches-clearing brawl erupted after Diamondbacks pitcher Ian Kennedy hit Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke in the head with a pitch. That and several heated exchanges and dramatic playoff series have stoked the competitive flame between these two teams. The intensity is amplified by the invasion of Dodgers fans at Chase Field, the Diamondbacks’ home stadium, which has been a less than ideal setting for the Diamondbacks.
Hazen’s desire to reclaim their home-field advantage adds another layer of intrigue to this captivating rivalry. What’s your take on this? Share in the comments below.
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