Last Updated: October 16th, 2026 by Matthew Brown
Everyone loves a heated rivalry. It can be something that sparks excitement in a baseball game. The one that has burned brightest over the years has been, of course, the Red Sox versus Yankees.
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It's hard to even calculate how much that rivalry has meant to the game of baseball. But I think it has also been propped up by a number of other rivalries in history.
We want to go over those other rivalries and talk about their impact, as fans have kept those matchups circled on their calendars every single season.
11. Dodgers vs. Giants: The Brawl That Began on Trolley Tracks
For my money, this is as great a rivalry as any in baseball. The Dodgers and Giants have been bitter rivals basically since the dawn of time. They were battling each other in the National League as two New York teams jockeying for position.
Then came the move to the West Coast. I'm sure fans will talk about and debate who followed whom. So well kept that it has survived a coast-to-coast relocation.
10. Cardinals vs. Cubs: Bleacher Brawls and Goat Curses
In the Midwest, it doesn't get better than the Cardinals and the Cubs. Both of these teams have had so many great attributes about their rivalry going for them. One team is predominantly red, the other is predominantly blue.
One team has had new stadiums to play in, and the other has stood by their tried-and-true original ballpark. One has seen World Series success throughout a good span of time, while the other took a very long break before attaining a magical championship moment.
9. Mets vs. Braves: Chipper’s “Larry” and the Shea Stadium Boo Chorus
The AL East has seen. No. The NL East has seen some very competitive seasons over the years.
A lot of times it has been between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves. I understand that both franchises have seen their ups and downs, but this is one of those rivalries where the Braves have come out on top more often than not.
It's the Mets who have had to look up at their division leader and scowl, waiting for their time to shine. When they do, it just makes this rivalry even juicier.
8. Dodgers vs. Padres: Slam Diego Swagger and Blue Crew Boos
With the San Diego Padres having some recent success, this rivalry has gotten hotter than it ever has been. I think part of this rivalry has been that there is a lot of knowledge of the other side, as the Padres and Dodgers have had many players don both uniforms over their careers.
I think this rivalry could be taken to the next level if the Padres are able to win their first World Series championship.
7. Mets vs. Cardinals: Pendleton’s Pain, Wainwright’s Curve, and ’80s Bad Blood
Let's not forget that the Central Division in baseball has only been around since the 1990s, so the Mets and Cardinals know each other very well from the days when they were both in the NL East.
I think business really picked up in the '80s when the Mets got really good, and the Cardinals were used to being a step ahead, but lost that step in the blink of an eye. This rivalry can still heat up today whenever these two meet in the playoffs.
6. Orioles vs. Yankees: Jeffrey Maier’s Glove and Baltimore’s Boos
I don't know if everyone remembers who the New York Yankees were playing when a kid reached over the wall and caught what was deemed to be a home run. That home run helped the Orioles and stoked the fire for this hot division rivalry.
I think standup guys like Cal Ripken Jr. and Derek Jeter have kept the animosity to a minimum at times, but these two franchises have had their dustups throughout history.
5. Dodgers vs. Astros: Trash Cans, Tattoos, and the Great Sign Steal
You could say the entire league could be rivals with the Astros for their technologically advanced and trash can-enhanced sign-stealing. But it's the Dodgers fans who boo the loudest whenever they see a member of that team come to the plate.
The 2017 Dodgers might be more beloved than some of their World Series championship teams. That's why this rivalry has been so strong and almost personal.
4. Red Sox vs. Rays: Tropicana Tantrums and the Cowbell Army
I kind of like that this rivalry is on this list. I think the Red Sox and Rays have been a part of an underrated rivalry in baseball. I'm looking back at the brawl that was started between Coco Crisp and James Shields.
It was a moment where you saw the classic franchise respect the younger one as formidable foes who don't mess around. That breathed a ton of life into this rivalry.
3. Reds vs. Cardinals: Yadi’s Fury vs. Phillips’ Tap Heard ‘Round the World
NL Central rivals, the Cincinnati Reds have had some dynamic offenses to match up against the St. Louis Cardinals over the years. These two teams were involved in a classic brawl that ended in a tough result.
Backup catcher Jason LaRue sustained a concussion that was one of many he had in his life. It just so happened that this one was the final straw, and he had to retire due to complications stemming from it.
2. Mets vs. Yankees: Subway Series, Pizza Wars, and Divided Households
The Subway Series is such a classic name for a rivalry that didn't play official games until 1997. What helped it was the all-New York World Series in 2000. I can just see it now.
Roger Clemens flinging a piece of a broken bat right at Mike Piazza, inciting a brawl on the biggest stage of them all. It's a memory that will be at or near the top of the list in this rivalry's history.
1. Mets vs. Phillies: Beanballs, Meltdowns, and Philly’s Unprintable Heckles
Even though there's been a fair amount of time for this rivalry to heat up, I feel like these two NL East foes got more intense in the 2000s. The Mets had two end-of-season collapses where they relinquished their lead in the division to the Phillies.
I'm sure that's part of where the disdain comes from, as it has made these matchups fun to watch even today.
