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#REDIRECT [[Major_League_Baseball_rivalries#Houston_Astros_vs._Los_Angeles_Dodgers]]
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{short description|Major League Baseball rivalry}}
{{Infobox sports rivalry
| name = Astros–Dodgers rivalry
| team1logo = Houston Astros cap logo.svg
| team2logo = LA Dodgers.svg
| team1 = [[Houston Astros]]
| team2 = [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]
| firstmeeting = May 7, 1962<br />[[Colt Stadium]]<br />Colt .45s 9, Dodgers 6
| mostrecent = June 25, 2023<br />[[Dodger Stadium]]<br />Astros 6, Dodgers 5
| nextmeeting = TBD
| total = 734
| most wins = Dodgers
| regularseason = Dodgers, {{Winning percentage|394|328|record=y|ignore_ties=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mcubed.net/mlb/la/hou.shtml|title=MLB : Series records : Los Angeles Dodgers(H) against Houston Astros(A)}}</ref>
| postseason = Tied, 6–6
| longeststreak = {{Plainlist|
* Astros: 10 (1992–1993)
* Dodgers: 9 (1966–1967)
}}
| largestvictory = Dodgers: 13–1 (1973), (2016)<br />Astros: 18–4 (2003)
| currentstreak = Dodgers, 1
| section_header = Post-season history
| section_info = {{Plainlist|class=nowrap|
* '''[[1981 Major League Baseball postseason|1981 NL Division Series]]''': Dodgers won, 3–2
* '''[[2017 World Series]]''': Astros won, 4–3
}}
}}

The '''Astros–Dodgers rivalry''' is a [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) interleague [[Major League Baseball rivalries|rivalry]] played between the [[Houston Astros]] and the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]. The Dodgers and Astros were both members of the [[National League West]] division until the Astros were realigned to the [[National League Central]] in 1993, and eventually the [[American League West]] in 2012. The rivalry initially began as a divisional matchup. Following Houston's move to the American League, the rivalry regained intensity as the two teams played one another in the [[2017 World Series]] in which the Astros secured the championship in seven games with assistance from forbidden methods. Animosity was quick to grow further after the Astros' [[Houston Astros sign stealing scandal|widely publicized sign stealing scandal]] had drawn negative attention to the organization after it was revealed the team had devised and implemented a complex system to steal pitch signs, including during the 2017 World Series. As a result of the scandal, hostility grew immensely between the two teams and their fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/dodgers-vs-astros-three-things-to-know-as-la-and-houston-rekindle-rivalry-at-dodger-stadium/|title=Dodgers vs. Astros: Three things to know as L.A. and Houston rekindle rivalry at Dodger Stadium}}</ref> The Dodgers lead the all time series 400–334, both teams are tied in postseason wins 6–6.

==History==
===1960s: Houston joins the MLB===
Houston was granted a Major League Baseball franchise on October 17, 1960 in the form of the newly created Houston Colt .45s, slated to begin play in the [[National League West]] in 1962. Following the conclusion of the 1964 season, the franchise was renamed to the Houston Astros. On March 21, 1966, the Dodgers faced the Astros in the first ever MLB game played on an artificial surface. Created by Monsanto, the product was initially named “ChemGrass,” but rebranded to AstroTurf upon being installed at the Astrodome. The AstroTurf was installed shortly after the 1965 season, but when the Dodgers and Astros played the following March, only the infield and foul line areas featured the new surface due to a shortage in stock.

After a late collapse in 1979, the Astros finished in a tie for first place in the National League West with a record of 92–70 with the Dodgers, having lost three in a row in Los Angeles on the final series of the season. The teams played a tiebreaker on October 6 to determine the division champion, which the Astros won, marking the first time the franchise qualified for the postseason.

===1981 NLDS===

{{multiple image
| align = left
| image1 = Nolan Ryan in Atlanta closer-up.jpg
| width1 = 334
| alt1 =
| caption1 =
| image2 = Fernando Valenzuela in bullpen.jpg
| width2 = 200
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
| footer = Astros' [[Nolan Ryan]] (left) and Dodgers' [[Fernando Valenzuela]] (right) engaged in a historic matchup during the 1981 NLDS.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cbsaustin.com/sports/professional/gallery/astros-dodgers-developed-quite-a-rivalry-as-division-foes?photo=1|title=World Series: Astros and Dodgers developed quite a Rivalry as Divisional foes}}</ref>
}}

The Division Series was created on August 6 in response to the [[1981 Major League Baseball strike]], which caused the cancellation of roughly one-third of the regular season between June 12 and August 9; by the time play was resumed, the leagues decided to split the season into two "halves" and the division winners of each half compete against each other in the "division series."

In a historic battle of pitching; Game 1 saw Dodgers' legend [[Fernando Valenzuela]] in a duel with Astros' hall-of-famer [[Nolan Ryan]]. Both teams clawed to tie the game 1-1 going well into the 9th inning, but a late Houston 2-run walk off ended the game 3-1. Game 2 saw both teams go scoreless for the duration of the entire game, leading to 11 innings until Houston managed a lone run to end the game. Houston was now one win away from winning the Astros' first ever playoff series in franchise history, However; the Dodgers bats managed to come back to life during Game 3 as they would run away with the win 6-1. Game 4 was another low-scoring stalemate between the two as Dodgers' ace Valenzuela returned to the mound. The Dodgers managed to hold a 2-0 lead by the end of the 8th inning, a two-out RBI single in the ninth produced the only Astros run as the Dodgers won Game 4, 2–1. Desperate to save the series in Game 5, the Astros returned Ryan to the mound while the Dodgers utilized [[Jerry Reuss]] to ice the series. Reuss failed to give up a single run the entirety of the game as the Dodgers fought their way out of the stalemate with 3 runs during the 6th inning and another in the 7th to win the series 4-0. The Dodgers would go on to eventually win the [[1981 World Series|World Series]] over the [[New York Yankees]].

===1990s: First Divisional Realignment===
Following the lone playoff matchup in the 1981 NLCS, both teams endured different paths as the Astros would only win the division one other time in 1986, meanwhile; the Dodgers managed two other divisional titles and a [[1988 World Series|World Series]] victory in 1988. The 1990s would see both teams regress, though they would remain competitive briefly near the end of the decade. The Astros quickly saw their core from the 1980s decline sharply, though they did manage a key free agent signing in 1991 in the form of [[Boston Red Sox|Red Sox]] prospect, and future hall-of-famer [[Jeff Bagwell]]; By 1994, the MLB had reformatted the divisions to six instead of four, relocating Houston to the NL Central, despite the increase in competition from both teams; the conundrum of the 1994 work stoppage robbed either team of a playoff push. In 1997 the Astros managed another notable free agent signing in future hall-of-fame pitcher [[Randy Johnson]], aiding in Houston's playoff aspirations, though they would be swept by the [[Atlanta Braves]] in the NLDS. Houston would make another push to the NLDS following a 102 win season, but they eventually fell to the [[1998 San Diego Padres season|San Diego Padres]] 3-1 in the NLDS. The 1999 season would see the Astros play their final season in the Astrodome as [[Minute Maid Park|Enron Field]] was slated for opening in 2000. Houston managed back to back wins over the Dodgers for the final two regular season wins at the dome. The Astros managed yet another ill-fated appearance in the NLDS but fell to the Braves in 4 games.

===2000s: Houston's first World Series===
By the turn of the millennium, the rivalry had lost it's intensity primarily due in part to the relocation of divisions and the waning success of the Dodgers through the end of the 1990s and early 2000s due to poor ownership, though they would manage an appearance in the NLDS in 2004 and 2006. The Astros suffered yet another divisional round loss to the Atlanta Braves in 2001, though things improved shortly after and Houston managed an appearance in the [[2004 National League Championship Series|2004 NLCS]], and a [[2005 World Series|World Series Appearance]] in 2005 as a wild card team; though they would be swept by the eventual champion [[2005 Chicago White Sox season|Chicago White Sox]]. Houston failed to make the postseason for their remaining duration in the National League. Meanwhile the Dodgers managed back-to-back NLCS appearances in [[2008 National League Championship Series|2008]] and [[2009 National League Championship Series|2009]], losing both times.

===2010s: Astros leave the NL===
The rivalry was largely dormant during the early 2010s as the Astros were among the worst teams in baseball, posting over 105 losses in three consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2013. However, they became consistent playoff contenders by 2015. Meanwhile, the Dodgers finished around .500 in the early part of the decade but went on to win the NL West title eight consecutive seasons from 2013 to 2020.

The 2017 season saw both teams among the best in all of MLB, as the Dodgers finished an MLB-best 104–58 and the Astros were 101–61, one game behind the [[2017 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] for the best record in the AL. Both teams went through their leagues' playoffs to meet in the [[2017 World Series]].

===2017 World Series ===
{{See also|2017 World Series}}
The Dodgers and Astros faced off in their first World Series meeting and second postseason meeting overall.<ref>{{cite news|last=Whicker|first=Mark|title=Whicker: Dodgers, Houston Astros try to rekindle their 80s rivalry|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2017/10/22/astros-dodgers-try-to-bring-back-the-80s/|newspaper=[[Orange County Register]]|date=October 22, 2017|access-date=October 25, 2017}}</ref> This was the first World Series since {{wsy|1970}}, and the eighth overall, in which both participants had 100 or more wins during the regular season.<ref name="DodgersAstros100wins">{{cite news|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259323604/astros-dodgers-have-each-won-100-plus-games/|title=Astros-Dodgers joins 100-win Series history|last1=Kelly|first1=Matt|date=October 22, 2017|access-date=October 30, 2017|publisher=Major League Baseball|last2=Randhawa|first2=Manny}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Stephen|first=Eric|title=Astros vs. Dodgers is the first World Series between 100-win teams in 47 years|url=https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2017/10/23/16518732/astros-dodgers-world-series-100-wins-mlb-history|publisher=[[SB Nation]]|date=October 23, 2017|access-date=October 24, 2017}}</ref>

[[Clayton Kershaw]] started Game 1 for the Dodgers, while [[Dallas Keuchel]] started for the Astros.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2017/10/22/world-series-game-1-will-feature-dallas-keuchel-vs-clayton-kershaw/|title = World Series Game 1 will feature Dallas Keuchel vs. Clayton Kershaw|date = October 22, 2017}}</ref> The temperature at the start of the game was {{convert|103|F}}, which made this the hottest World Series game ever recorded.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/23/us/record-world-series-weather/index.html|title = World Series 2017: Triple-digit heat in LA|website = [[CNN]]|date = October 23, 2017}}</ref> [[Chris Taylor (baseball)|Chris Taylor]] hit a home run for the Dodgers on Keuchel's first pitch of the game. It was the third home run to leadoff a game in Dodgers postseason history ([[Davey Lopes]] in [[1978 World Series]] and [[Carl Crawford]] in [[2013 NLDS]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/videos/2017/10/24/16540024/chris-taylor-home-run-leadoff-dodgers-world-series|title=Chris Taylor leads off the World Series with a home run|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=October 24, 2017|access-date=October 24, 2017}}</ref> [[Alex Bregman]] hit a home run for the Astros in the fourth inning. However, the Dodgers retook the lead on a [[Justin Turner]] home run as the Dodgers won the game, 3-1. Kershaw 11 batters in seven innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259587014/dodgers-homers-back-clayton-kershaw-in-game-1/?topicId=27118384|title=Red hot! Turner HR backs Kershaw Gm. 1 gem|work=mlb.com|last=Gurnick|first=Ken and Brian McTaggart|date=October 24, 2017|access-date=October 24, 2017}}</ref>

Houston came back to win the next two games. Game 2 was an extra inning affair which saw the teams tied at 3 after nine innings. Both teams scored two runs in the 10th, the Astros on back-to-back home runs by [[José Altuve]] and [[Carlos Correa]] and the Dodgers on a [[Yasiel Puig]] home run and a [[Enrique Hernández (baseball)|Enrique Hernández ]] RBI single. The Astros scored two more in the 11th and held off another Dodgers rally to win 7-6. The Astros rode a 4-run second inning to a 5-3 win in Game 3, however it was overshadowed by
Astros' hitter [[Yuli Gurriel]], who made a racist gesture mocking Dodgers’ pitcher [[Yu Darvish]] who was Japanese. Gurriel was caught on camera stretching the sides of his eyes and mouthing the Spanish word ''chinito'', which translates to "little Chinese Boy".<ref name=hernandez_10272017>{{cite news|last=Hernandez|first=Dylan|title=Some look askew at Yuli Gurriel's dugout squint|date=October 27, 2017|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers-hernandez-20171027-story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028101329/http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers-hernandez-20171027-story.html|archive-date=October 28, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Waldstein|first=David|title=Astros' Yuli Gurriel Apologizes After a Racist Gesture Aimed at Yu Darvish|date=October 28, 2017|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/28/sports/baseball/yuli-gurriel-apologizes-racist-yu-darvish.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028103415/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/28/sports/baseball/yuli-gurriel-apologizes-racist-yu-darvish.html?mtrref=web.archive.org|archive-date=October 28, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Gurriel apologized, and said that anyone from Asia is called a ''chino'' in Cuba, although he acknowledged that he knew the term was offensive from having played in Japan.<ref name=hernandez_10272017 /><ref>{{cite news|last=Lauber|first=Scott|title=MLB mulls discipline after Yuli Gurriel's insensitive gesture|website=ESPN.com|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21189685/houston-astros-yuli-gurriel-apparently-mocks-los-angeles-dodgers-yu-darvish|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028103536/http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21189685/houston-astros-yuli-gurriel-apparently-mocks-los-angeles-dodgers-yu-darvish|archive-date=October 28, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Gurriel was suspended for the first five games of the [[2018 Houston Astros season|2018]] season without pay.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/astros-first-baseman-yuli-gurriel-be-questioned-after-racially-insensitive-n815281|title=Astros' Yuli Gurriel Will Be Suspended After Racist Gesture at World Series|website=nbcnews.com}}</ref> He was required to undergo sensitivity training in the offseason. The Astros said that they would donate Gurriel's salary lost during the suspension to a charity that supports diversity efforts.<ref>[http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21197888/houston-astros-first-baseman-yuli-gurriel-suspended-world-series-games-following-gesture-comments-los-angeles-dodgers-pitcher-yu-darvish "Gurriel won't be suspended for any World Series games"]. espn.com. October 28, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2017.</ref>

After a Dodgers win in Game 4, the Astros would come back with a 10-inning, 13-12 win in Game 6, which featured the Astros twice coming back from 3-run deficits and the Dodgers erasing a 3-run deficit of their own in the ninth inning to force extra innings. At 5 hours, 17 minutes, this game was the second-longest World Series game in history by time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/10/29/world-series-10-crazy-facts-astros-insane-game-5-win-against-dodgers/812228001/ |title=World Series: 11 crazy facts from Astros' insane Game 5 win vs. Dodgers |publisher=Usatoday.com |date=October 30, 2017 |access-date=February 10, 2018}}</ref> and has frequently been cited as one of the greatest World Series games of all time.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/dodgers-astros-game-5-what-to-know-about-maybe-the-best-world-series-game-ever/ | title=Dodgers-Astros Game 5: What to know about maybe the best World Series game ever }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/29/sports/world-series-dodgers-astros.html | title=World Series 2017: How the Astros Won Game 5, Inning by Inning | newspaper=The New York Times | date=October 29, 2017 | last1=Hoffman | first1=Benjamin | last2=Waldstein | first2=David }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2741361-alex-bregmans-walk-off-lifts-astros-past-dodgers-in-epic-world-series-game-5 | title=Alex Bregman's Walk-Off Lifts Astros Past Dodgers in Epic World Series Game 5 | website=[[Bleacher Report]] }}</ref>

The Dodgers came back to win Game 6 to force the deciding Game 7. However the Astros took game 7, 5-1, to win their first World Series title in franchise history. The two teams set a record for most combined home runs in a World Series, with 25.

===2019: Astros' Scandal Breaks===
{{main|Houston Astros sign stealing scandal}}
{{quote box|width=25em
| align = left
| quote = "Those guys were cheating for three years, I think what people don't realize is [Jose] Altuve stole an MVP from [Aaron] Judge in 2017. Everyone knows they stole the ring from us. But it's over."
| source = —Cody Bellinger, Dodgers' outfielder<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28701586/nl-mvp-cody-bellinger-says-astros-jose-altuve-stole-2017-al-mvp-aaron-judge|title=NL MVP Cody Bellinger says Astros' Jose Altuve stole 2017 AL MVP from Aaron Judge}}</ref>
}}

Speculation about sign stealing by the Astros had been rampant for several years. After news of the scandal broke in 2019, many members of the Dodgers organization said that they had suspected the Astros were illegally stealing signs during the 2017 World Series, particularly during Game 5. On November 12, 2019, journalists [[Ken Rosenthal]] and Evan Drellich published a story in ''[[The Athletic]]'' detailing for the first time specific allegations that the Astros had engaged in illicit electronic sign stealing. [[Mike Fiers]], awho pitched for the Astros in [[2017 Houston Astros season|2017]], stated that a center-field camera feed was sent to the tunnel behind the Astros dugout in Minute Maid Park. An Astros player or staff member then hit a [[trash can]] to signal specific different pitches to the [[batter (baseball)|batter]] at home plate.<ref name="suntimes2019">{{cite web|last1=Rosenthal|first1=Ken|last2=Drellich|first2=Evan|date=November 12, 2019|title=The Astros stole signs electronically in 2017 — part of a much broader issue for Major League Baseball|website=[[The Athletic]]|url=https://theathletic.com/1363451/2019/11/12/the-astros-stole-signs-electronically-in-2017-part-of-a-much-broader-issue-for-major-league-baseball/|url-status=dead|access-date=November 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620165607/https://theathletic.com/1363451/2019/11/12/the-astros-stole-signs-electronically-in-2017-part-of-a-much-broader-issue-for-major-league-baseball/|archive-date=June 20, 2020}}</ref><ref name="espn1112">{{cite web|last=Passan|first=Jeff|date=November 12, 2019|title=Ex-Astros pitcher Mike Fiers: Team stole signs with camera|website=[[ESPN.com]]|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28066522/ex-astros-pitcher-mike-fiers-team-stole-signs-camera|url-status=live|access-date=November 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619092741/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28066522/ex-astros-pitcher-mike-fiers-team-stole-signs-camera|archive-date=June 19, 2020}}</ref> In addition to Fiers, unnamed sources were cited in the article. MLB began an investigation the day after the ''Athletic'' story was published.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/13/us/houston-astros-mlb-sign-stealing-allegations-trnd/index.html|title=Astros say they're cooperating with MLB investigation into video sign stealing|website=[[CNN.com]]|first1=Ray|last1=Sanchez|first2=Wayne|last2=Sterling|date=November 13, 2019|access-date=January 17, 2019}}</ref>

The Astros were fined $5 million, the maximum allowed by the MLB constitution, and forced to forfeit their first- and second-round draft picks in [[2020 Major League Baseball draft|2020]] and [[2021 Major League Baseball draft|2021]]. In addition, Astros' general manager [[Jeff Luhnow]] and manager [[A.J. Hinch]] were each suspended for the 2020 season.<ref name="report">{{cite web|last=Manfred|first=Rob|author-link=Rob Manfred|date=January 13, 2020|title=Statement of the Commissioner|url=https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/mlb/cglrhmlrwwbkacty27l7.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619012629/https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/mlb/cglrhmlrwwbkacty27l7.pdf|archive-date=June 19, 2020|access-date=January 17, 2020|publisher=[[Major League Baseball]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Langs|first=Sarah|date=January 14, 2020|title=10 notable suspensions in baseball history|work=[[MLB.com]]|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/notable-suspensions-and-discipline-in-baseball-history|access-date=April 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416121549/https://www.mlb.com/news/notable-suspensions-and-discipline-in-baseball-history|archive-date=April 16, 2021}}</ref>

Many players across MLB criticized the Astros when spring training strted in February 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Carson|first=Emily|date=February 14, 2020|title=MLB players rip Astros over sign-stealing scandal|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/mlb-players-rip-astros-over-sign-stealing-scandal/eahd5y3l32ov1asjoux6bz9c4|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218065643/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/mlb-players-rip-astros-over-sign-stealing-scandal/eahd5y3l32ov1asjoux6bz9c4|archive-date=February 18, 2020|access-date=February 19, 2020|website=[[Sporting News]]}}</ref> Many of the condemnations came from members of the Dodgers, who the Astros defeated in the 2017 World Series, and the [[New York Yankees]], who the Astros defeated in the ALCS in both 2017 and 2019.<ref name="espn-tattoo">{{Cite web|last=Passan|first=Jeff|date=February 17, 2020|title=Disciplining Astros not as easy for MLB as Altuve revealing a tattoo|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28726243/disciplining-astros-not-easy-mlb-altuve-revealing-tattoo|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601151929/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28726243/disciplining-astros-not-easy-mlb-altuve-revealing-tattoo|archive-date=June 1, 2020|access-date=February 19, 2020|website=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-news-clayton-kershaw-astros-sign-stealing-distinction|title=The Dodgers-Astros rivalry continues to live on. These two teams simply do not like each other for good reason}}</ref>

The [[Los Angeles City Council]] passed a resolution in January 2020 calling on MLB to vacate the Astros' 2017 World Series title and award it to the Dodgers.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bieler|first1=Des|last2=Bogage|first2=Jacob|date=January 22, 2020|title=Los Angeles City Council calls on MLB to give Dodgers 2017 and 2018 World Series trophies|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/01/22/los-angeles-city-council-calls-mlb-give-dodgers-2017-2018-world-series-trophies/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210195404/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/01/22/los-angeles-city-council-calls-mlb-give-dodgers-2017-2018-world-series-trophies/|archive-date=February 10, 2020|access-date=January 31, 2020|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> [[United States House of Representatives|US Representative]] [[Bobby Rush]] from [[Illinois]] released a letter calling on the chairman of the [[United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform|US House Committee on Oversight and Reform]] to open a congressional investigation into the scandal along with MLB's response.<ref name="bobbyrush">{{cite web|last=Chiari|first=Mike|date=January 17, 2020|title=Congressman Bobby Rush Calls for Congressional Oversight on MLB Cheating Scandal|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2871927-congressman-bobby-rush-calls-for-congressional-oversight-on-mlb-cheating-scandal|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118145231/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2871927-congressman-bobby-rush-calls-for-congressional-oversight-on-mlb-cheating-scandal|archive-date=January 18, 2020|access-date=January 18, 2020|website=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref>

On February 14, 2020; during an interview from Dodgers' Spring Training, outfielder [[Cody Bellinger]] publicly took aim at the Astros and second baseman [[Jose Altuve]], claiming he had robbed Yankees' outfielder [[Aaron Judge]] of the 2017 MVP award in addition to cheating the entire Dodgers' organization out of a championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28701586/nl-mvp-cody-bellinger-says-astros-jose-altuve-stole-2017-al-mvp-aaron-judge|title=NL MVP Cody Bellinger says Astros' Jose Altuve stole 2017 AL MVP from Aaron Judge}}</ref> In retaliation, Astros' shortstop Carlos Correa defended his teammate, claiming the trash can hits were discouraged by him and Altuve, Correa would also exclaim to MLB News in response to Bellinger directly: "“If you don't know the facts, then you gotta shut the fuck up.”<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/carlos-correa-rips-cody-bellinger-defends-jose-altuve-in-explosive-interview-193515958.html|title=Carlos Correa rips Cody Bellinger, defends Jose Altuve in explosive interview}}</ref>

===2020-present===
On July 29, 2020, Dodgers' pitcher [[Joe Kelly (pitcher)|Joe Kelly]] was issued an eight-game suspension after [[beanball|throwing at]] Astros' hitters [[Alex Bregman]] and [[Carlos Correa]] and inciting a bench clearing altercation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gurnick |first1=Ken |title=Joe Kelly (8 games), Roberts (1) suspended |url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/joe-kelly-dave-roberts-suspended |website=mlb.com |access-date=July 29, 2020 |date=July 29, 2020}}</ref>

On September 12 and 13, 2020 the Astros played their first games in Los Angeles following the breaking news of the scandal, despite Dodger Stadium being closed to fans due to the COVID-19 concerns, which had made the 2020 season one played without fans for 60 games. A large number of hostile Dodgers fans arrived outside the stadium gates during both games to heckle the Astros’ team bus with signs in regards to the scandal, as well as throwing trash while honking their car horns or chanting “Cheaters”.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/look-dodgers-fans-heckle-astros-bus-with-asterisk-signs-and-trash-cans-prior-to-game-in-los-angeles/amp/|title=Dodger Fans Heckle Astros’ Bus with asterisk signs and Trash Cans}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2908824-dodgers-fans-greet-astros-team-bus-with-trash-cans-signs-in-viral-photos.amp.html|title=Dodger fans greet Astros team bus with signs and trash cans}}</ref> A possibility of a 2017 World Series rematch emerged as both teams advanced to their respective LCS. However, the Astros lost the [[2020 American League Championship Series|ALCS]] to the [[2020 Tampa Bay Rays season|Tampa Bay Rays]]. The Dodgers ended up defeating the Rays to win the [[2020 World Series]].

On May 25, 2021, the first full capacity game at [[Minute Maid Park]] was held with the Dodgers as the visiting team. Members of the Pantone 294 Dodgers fan group began to protest outside of the stadium and heckled Astros' players and fans during the game. Multiple fights were reported in the stands as a result of the fans present.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/dodgers-fans-filled-section-astros-174529502.html|title=Dodgers fans filled a section at Astros' stadium and chanted 'Cheaters!' all game|website=Yahoo News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://lastwordonsports.com/baseball/2021/05/25/astros-dodgers-rivalry-in-2021/|title=Astros, Dodgers Set To Renew Rivalry In 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/dodgers-fans-fill-section-astros-stadium-chant-cheaters-2021-5|title=Dodgers fans filled a section at Astros' stadium and chanted 'Cheaters!' all game}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2021/05/27/fights-ensue-at-dodgers-astros-game-as-fans-invading-houston/|title=Dodgers fans fighting rivals as they invade Houston with cheating chants}}</ref>

On August 3, 2021, the Dodgers and Astros played the first game of a two-game series at [[Dodger Stadium]], their first meeting in front of Dodgers fans since the story broke in 2019. Stadium and league personnel increased security in anticipation of crowd anger towards the Astros.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2021/08/03/dodgers-astros-series-fans-dodger-stadium/5465685001/|title='Make some noise:' Dodger fans bracing for Astros' return to Dodger Stadium|website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> The game had the largest attendance of any MLB game in 2021. Upon entering the dugout, Houston players were met with an enraged crowd booing them loudly as other fans closer to home plate chanted "cheater!" as Jose Altuve, George Springer, and Carlos Correa went to bat. Multiple fights broke out in the stands while a large number of hostile Dodger fans had thrown bottles at Astros players. Soon, other fans began removing nearby trash cans and began throwing them onto the field in anger.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2021/08/04/dodgers-astros-fans-trash-can-fight-video|title=The Biggest Crowd of the MLB Season Showed Up at Dodger Stadium to Heckle the Astros}}</ref> Fan behavior in the stands was reportedly so unruly that TV cameras were forced to avoid showing the stands as a large number of fans [[The finger|displaying their middle fingers]] at the field.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIsOBkBXy_s|title=Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Dodgers - 08.03.2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2021/08/03/fans-take-their-swings-but-dodgers-come-up-empty-in-loss-to-astros/|title=Fans take their swings but Dodgers come up empty in loss to Astros}}</ref> The Astros won the first game of the series. The Dodgers won the second game, which had a similar attendance and fan hostility towards the Astros, splitting the series. Another possibility of a World Series rematch could have happened when both teams made the LCS, but this time the Dodgers failed to finish the job, losing to the future World Series champ [[Atlanta Braves]] in six games.

During the [[2022 Major League Baseball All Star Game|2022 All Star Game]] in Los Angeles; fans in attendance once again exhibited their hatred; loudly booing the Astros players present, in addition to former Astros’ outfielder George Springer who signed with the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] during the 2021 offseason.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2022/07/20/astros-players-booed-at-all-star-game-at-dodgers-stadium/amp/|title=Astros Players Booed at All Star Game}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thespun.com/.amp/more/mlb/look-astros-players-booed-heavily-before-all-star-game|title=Astros Players Booed Heavily Before All Star Game}}</ref> Coincidentally, the American League would win the game with Astros pitcher [[Framber Valdez]] getting credit for the victory.

Since the end of 2017, both teams have reached the World Series multiple times, with the Astros making it four times (2017, 2019, 2021, 2022) while the Dodgers have done it three times (2017-18, 2020). Each have had multiple
[[List of Major League Baseball 100 win seasons|100-win seasons]] (each have four since 2017), but only the Dodgers have managed to lose in the first round, while Houston has made the ALCS in every year since 2017, with the Astros winning it all again in 2022.

==See also==
*[[California–Texas rivalry]]

==References==
;Inline citations
{{reflist}}

{{Houston Astros}}
{{Los Angeles Dodgers}}
{{MLB rivalries}}

[[Category:Major League Baseball rivalries]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Dodgers]]
[[Category:Houston Astros]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Astros-Dodgers rivalry}}

Latest revision as of 02:43, 23 January 2024