Xander Bogaerts has always been sure of himself and his abilities. However, his recent remarks on the Padres’ defeat to the Dodgers in the 2024 NLDS have drawn attention for all the wrong reasons. Following a disheartening departure after five games. San Diego’s pricey $280 million infielder delivered a hot take on his team’s superiority. In a sport where success is ultimately measured by wins, that claim didn’t sit well with fans, especially those in Los Angeles; to them, the scoreboard—and the Dodgers’ ability to handle the postseason stage—told the real story.

The Padres must be feeling pretty frustrated now. They came into the playoffs with a top-notch lineup and high hopes for a postseason showing after a rocky regular season. But talent alone wasn’t enough in October; despite the Dodgers facing their share of challenges with injuries and uncertainties in their pitching rotation, they stepped up and delivered when it truly mattered. Ultimately leaving San Diego in the dust and scratching their heads for answers, LA proved beyond a doubt who was better.

But the fans’ focus has now turned from analyzing ways for the Padres to enhance their performance in 2025 to questioning whether Bogaert’s statements reflect confidence or excuses. “I thought we were a better team. We just didn’t win,” Bogaerts said, a comment that quickly spread across social media, igniting debates among fans and analysts alike.

But do you think Bogaerts’ comment was made in a vacuum?

Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas recently acknowledged that even inside the L.A. clubhouse, there was a belief that the Padres had a superior roster at least on paper. “If you put both teams side by side, we didn’t have the advantage in that series,” Rojas said. However, he emphasized that the Dodgers’ ability to execute in crucial moments and their stability ultimately made the difference.

While Padres fans might appreciate the confidence, many on social media weren’t buying it. Dodgers fans were swift to emphasize that victories don’t come from assumed skills but from results on the playing field. Some also pointed to the Dodgers’ playoff track record and their knack for performing under pressure to contrast with the Padres’ apparent talent but inability to follow through.

Social media erupts: Debate over Padres talent vs. execution

One tweet implied a sardonic acknowledgment of the notion that the Dodgers don’t have to be the talented team or dominate the regular season to win the World Series after all: “That’s fine. I’m ok for dodgers to not be the best team but wins the World Series!!!” According to them, tackling situations masterfully, adjusting to hurdles, and thriving under pressure are what truly count in the end. This perspective aligns with the reality of baseball, where postseason success isn’t always dictated by the strongest roster or best record but rather by which team plays the best when it counts.

One user commented: “The best team won. The Padres did look best on paper to those who are casual observers. Dodgers pitching was depleted with injuries. Amazing run by the Dodgers.” Despite facing a shortage of pitchers due to injuries and setbacks on the team roster, the Dodgers managed to secure victories with more than just raw talent; they tapped into their perseverance and skills under pressure.

Another X user took a sarcastic jab, defending their team: “Everybody was better. Yankees, padres. But wheres the trophy reside? You didnt win because you werent better. Lets make that abundantly clear.” For them, the only thing that defines the best team is who lifts the trophy, and in this case, that honor belongs to the Dodgers.

A comment underlined a key flaw in the Padres’ argument: “2 and half games with no scores, sure ‘ we just didn’t win’. Dodgers stuck together and didn’t collapse under pressure that’s how they beat those bums“. And rightly so. We can’t just fault one bad performance; it’s important to acknowledge that the consistently fell just short in crucial moments. On the flip side, despite facing a 10-2 defeat in Game 3, the Dodgers bounced back with strong pitching and clutch plays. Their mental strength was evident as they clinched the series win emphasizing the importance of unity in overcoming obstacles.

Dodgers supporters also raised questions about Xander Bogaerts’ statement. One user said: “Dodgers had the better regular season record and beat them in the playoffs. Exactly what is he basing his “better” on?” The Dodgers ended with a stronger record (98-64) than the Padres (93-69) securing a playoff seed. What’s more significant is that Los Angeles defeated San Diego in the NLDS, winning the series 3-2 and blanketing them in the two games. The findings indicate that determining the better team should rely on performance rather than personal opinion.

This user highlighted the importance of actually playing the games rather than relying on perceived talent or pre-season expectations: “And that’s why you play the game, people! Otherwise, let’s just vote on who’se got the best team. 2025–Dodgers! Ok! Gove us our trophy please! Thank you!” It mocked the idea of simply declaring a team as the “best” based on rosters or opinions. Ultimately, it reinforces the fundamental truth of sports—games are won on the field, not on paper.

At last, the Dodgers’ better records and beating the Padres in the playoffs made Bogaerts’ claim flimsy at best. For fans, winning is what defines greatness, and in 2024, the Dodgers were simply the better team. And so if the “better team” doesn’t win, then what does being better really mean?