JD Martinez Was Glad to See the Dodgers Dominate the Padres in a Playoff-Like Environment

He knows it was great for this team to shake those demons from last season.

The Dodgers have finally gotten rid of the demons that came with the disappointing end to the 2022 season.

After losing to the Padres in four games in last year's NLDS, the Dodgers definitely had the rematch circled on their calendar heading into 2023. That rematch came this past week, when the teams played three games in San Diego, and then another three in Los Angeles.

After losing the first game of the series, the Dodgers won the next five in dominant fashion, outscoring the Padres 21-12 in the six games.

While the series felt like just another weekend in May for the Dodgers, for the Padres and their fans, it was much bigger. The atmosphere in the games — especially at Petco Park — felt like a playoff game, and J.D. Martinez expressed his excitement about the Dodgers playing well in that environment.

He mentioned the energy and the rowdiness of the fans, saying, "It’s cool though, I love it." Martinez believes that experiencing these intense environments early in the year will prepare the team for the playoffs.

"Obviously the fans get really into it and there’s a lot more energy out there, you can feel it," Martinez said. "I’m a firm believer, like seeing in ’18 when we played the Yankees and it was just insane. It was like World Series-type atmosphere every game. I think these kind of environments where it’s rowdy, it’s loud, a lot of pressure, prepares you for the playoffs."

Coming through in a high-pressure situation is crucial, and the Dodgers managed to do just that. Mookie Betts' game-tying home run in the ninth inning of last Sunday's game was a shining example of their ability to perform when it matters most.

Despite the hostile fans and some questionable actions from the Padres' Jumbotron operators, the Dodgers stayed focused and treated the series like any other.

"Over here we feel like it’s all the same," Martinez said. "It feels like it’s been, as far as our preparation and the way that we get ready, it’s another team."

The Dodgers won't face the Padres again until August, but when they do, it's bound to be another exciting series. As the season progresses, the intensity will only grow, and every game will feel like playoff baseball.