Monday's game between the Dodgers and Padres, which featured Shohei Ohtani’s long-awaited return to the mound, delivered record viewership on MLB.TV.
The National League West showdown was the most-watched game in the history of Major League Baseball’s flagship streaming service, which debuted in 2002. The game's viewership eclipsed the previous record holder, the 2024 Opening Day matchup between the Yankees and Astros (Juan Soto's debut with the Bombers), by 28%.
Fans who tuned in on Monday saw Ohtani reach 100 mph in his first game as a pitcher since undergoing right elbow surgery in September 2023. He added two hits, a walk and two RBIs at the plate, contributing to the Dodgers’ 6-3 win at Dodger Stadium.
While Ohtani’s pitching return undoubtedly drove up the viewership numbers, the record-setting audience also reflected the growing intensity of the Dodgers-Padres rivalry, which has become one of the fiercest in the sport.
The Dodgers have largely maintained the upper hand, winning 11 NL West crowns in the past 12 seasons and eliminating San Diego in the 2024 NL Division Series en route to their second World Series title in five years. But with star-studded rosters on both sides and no shortage of drama between them, their matchups have become must-see events. Monday's game was no exception.