2024 NLDS: Max Muncy Doesn’t Want Dodgers to Get Baited by Padres

As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare for their highly anticipated 2024 National League Division Series (NLDS) matchup against the San Diego Padres, veteran infielder Max Muncy is sending a clear message to his team: don’t let the Padres bait you into unnecessary distractions. With both teams loaded with talent and bad blood lingering from previous seasons, Muncy’s leadership and experience are proving invaluable as the Dodgers look to advance deeper into the postseason.

The Dodgers have long been one of the most dominant teams in the National League, and their rivalry with the Padres has only intensified in recent years. San Diego, buoyed by its superstar roster, including Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Juan Soto, has become one of the Dodgers’ fiercest competitors in the division. Tensions have often boiled over during regular-season matchups, and Muncy is well aware of the Padres’ ability to play mind games.

“They’re a talented team, no doubt about it,” Muncy said in a press conference. “But they know how to get under your skin. We can’t let them bait us into playing their game. We have to stay focused and stick to our approach.”

Muncy’s message is clear: the Dodgers must maintain their composure and not let the Padres’ aggressive style of play or trash-talking tactics throw them off track. The Padres have been known for their fiery personalities and ability to engage in on-field antics, and with a postseason atmosphere in full swing, the intensity will be heightened.

“Postseason baseball is about execution, not getting caught up in the noise,” Muncy continued. “We’ve been in high-pressure situations before, and we know how to handle it. The key is to stay disciplined and make the right plays when it matters.”

Muncy’s own postseason experience has been invaluable to the Dodgers, having played a key role in their 2020 World Series championship run. His leadership and calm under pressure are essential elements in keeping the team on course. While the Padres have been vocal in their attempts to stir up drama, Muncy and the Dodgers are staying laser-focused on what’s important: winning baseball games.

As the series kicks off, the Dodgers are poised to prove their dominance once again, led by a roster stacked with MVP-caliber players like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Clayton Kershaw. But with the Padres eager to make a statement of their own, the Dodgers will need to stay composed and avoid letting the opposition distract them from their ultimate goal.

“We’re not here to get caught up in any sideshow,” Muncy concluded. “We’re here to win, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”