Rivalry gets early kick start in 2014 MLB season

SYDNEY — Suspensions to eight players and a controversial NL West-clinching swimming pool incident last season helped expand a growing rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks.

But Dodgers manager Don Mattingly says he doesn't expect any animosity to carry over from last year when the teams meet to open the season Saturday and Sunday at the Sydney Cricket Ground. But he couldn't rule it out either.

The suspensions came after a brawl last June. Then when the Dodgers clinched the NL West crown in Arizona, they upset many Diamondbacks player by celebrating in the Chase Field swimming pool.

Mattingly says Wednesday "what happened last year is over, and we should move forward and play ... I don't feel like there is going to be (problems) .... maybe there is."