What is the Biggest Rivalry in Baseball?

By Lisa Spencer Senior Editor Updated: 14 April 2023

Lisa Spencer Senior Editor

As a Senior Editor at Betting.US, Lisa Spencer is a valuable member of our expert team. With a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics, Lisa is adept in gambling theory and analyzing odds. She contributes by writing online sportsbook reviews and finding competitive markets to help our readers make an informed choice.

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• The Biggest Rivalry in Baseball
• Best Rivalries in Baseball
• New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox
• LA Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants
• Chicago Cubs vs Chicago White Sox
• St. Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs
• New York Yankees vs LA Dodgers
• Cincinnati Reds vs Pittsburgh Pirates
• New York Mets vs Philadelphia Phillies
• Other Notable Rivalries
• Frequently Asked Questions

Baseball is often known as “America’s Pastime”, and it’s one of the nation’s most popular sports, drawing in millions of viewers each week. These fans love to watch the intense rivalries between teams, which helps to create a lot of the action within the games. MLB rivalries are nothing new, and today, we’re going to be showing you the biggest rivalry in baseball.

What Are the Biggest Rivalries in Baseball?

The biggest rivalry in baseball is often down to personal opinion. Some of these rivalries have existed for decades, and they’ve sometimes led to some pretty shocking performances – both from players and fans. We’re going to show you some of the biggest baseball rivalries on this page, so stay tuned.

The Best Rivalries in Baseball

Baseball is known for its heated rivalries. These long-standing feuds bring excitement to the game, fueling passionate debates among fans and players alike. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most legendary rivalries in the history of Major League Baseball, the tales behind them, and the undeniable impact they’ve had on the sport. What are the best rivalries in baseball? Let’s find out!

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New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox

The rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox is one of the oldest and most intense in baseball. It dates back to the early 1900s and has been fueled by the two teams’ close proximity and frequent battles for dominance in the American League East.

The rivalry has been characterized by some of the most iconic moments in baseball history, including the “Curse of the Bambino”, which plagued the Red Sox for over eight decades until they finally won the World Series in 2004. The rivalry is also marked by intense passion and heated exchanges between players, coaches, and fans.

LA Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants

The rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants is one of the most storied in baseball history. It dates back to the late 1800s, when the two teams were based in New York and were bitter rivals. The rivalry intensified when both teams moved to California in the late 1950s and has been marked by some of the most memorable moments in baseball history.

The rivalry is fueled by the close proximity of the two teams and their frequent battles for dominance in the National League West. The rivalry is also characterized by intense passion and a deep-rooted hatred between fans of the two teams. Despite this animosity, both teams have a deep respect for each other’s history and tradition, and the rivalry remains one of the most anticipated in baseball.

Chicago Cubs vs Chicago White Sox

The rivalry between the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox is one of the oldest in baseball history. It dates back to the early 1900s and has been fueled by the close proximity of the two teams and their frequent battles for dominance in the Windy City. Essentially, it all started because both teams share the same home city, Chicago.

The rivalry is characterized by intense passion and a deep-seated animosity between fans of the two teams, who are often divided along neighborhood and socio-economic lines.

It’s often seen as one of the biggest baseball rivalries due to the visible effects. For example, the feud between the two teams has come pretty close to shutting down the entire city of Chicago – and one particularly memorable event happened in May 2006, when Michael Barett – a catcher for the Cubs – punched A.J. Pierzynski in the face during the game!

St. Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs

The Cubs and Cardinals have maintained a fierce rivalry for over a century, with Cubs fans holding St. Louis as their arch-nemesis. This rivalry stems from the two cities’ close proximity, as St. Louis, Missouri is located on the border of Illinois.

The fan base in Illinois is divided, with some fans rooting for the Cardinals, causing a divide between supporters of Chicago and St. Louis.

The Cubs-Cardinals rivalry has been marked by numerous confrontations between players, including famous brawls in the 1960s and 1970s involving Fergie Jenkins and Bob Gibson. A more recent highlight occurred in 2019 when the Cardinals beat the Cubs in four consecutive games, their first such streak since 1921.

The rivalry continues to be one of the most passionate in baseball, with both teams and their fans passionately engaged in the historic competition.

New York Yankees vs LA Dodgers

Often known as one of the best rivalries in baseball, the feud between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers dates back to the 1940s. Over the following two decades, the two teams played one another at the World Series multiple times. Their first encounter was in 1941, and they’ve since met in the World Series eleven times!

According to fans, they started to get bored of seeing the two teams always competing against one another – and a fierce rivalry was formed. However, after 1981, the rivalry started to cool off, and the two teams haven’t faced each other nearly as much in the years since.

The primary reason behind this is the fact that the Dodgers’ performance started slipping quite a lot in the MLB. In contrast, the Yankees went from strength to strength. But the Dodgers bounced back in 2020, winning the World Series for the seventh time.

Cincinnati Reds vs Pittsburgh Pirates

The infamous rivalry between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates can be traced back to the early days of professional baseball, when both teams were competing for supremacy in the National League. Their rivalry, often fueled by fierce competition and regional pride, has provided baseball fans with many memorable moments throughout the years.

One of the most notable chapters in this rivalry took place in the 1970s, as both teams fielded powerhouse squads that battled for division titles and the hearts of fans. The Reds boasted a formidable lineup featuring the likes of Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, and Pete Rose, while the Pirates had stars including Willie Stargell and Roberto Clemente. The two teams fought tooth and nail, with multiple playoff series and division championships at stake.

In recent years, the Reds-Pirates rivalry has maintained its intensity, thanks to close games and hard-fought contests. Fans from both sides show their loyalty by packing the stadiums, creating electric atmospheres that make every game feel like a playoff bout. This historic rivalry has continued to thrive as a symbol of baseball’s rich heritage and the passion that fuels America’s pastime.

New York Mets vs Philadelphia Phillies

The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies have long been fierce competitors in the National League East, igniting one of the most spirited rivalries in baseball. With both teams hailing from the Northeast, their close proximity has fueled countless heated battles on the diamond, as well as a strong sense of pride among their loyal fan bases.

This rivalry reached new heights in the late 2000s, as both teams experienced success and competed for division titles. The Mets, led by stars such as David Wright and Jose Reyes, faced off against a powerful Phillies lineup that featured Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins. This era saw both teams vying for the spotlight, and their intense games often resulted in dramatic, nail-biting finishes.

The Mets-Phillies rivalry embodies the spirit of baseball at its finest, demonstrating the sport’s unique ability to bring people together while dividing them in the name of fierce competition. From walk-off home runs to epic pitching duels, this rivalry has consistently delivered thrilling moments that will be forever etched in the annals of baseball history.

Other Notable Rivalries

Other baseball rivalries provide additional layers of excitement and intrigue to the game. Here are a few more matchups that fans can’t get enough of.