Rivalries form in many ways.

Many times it's a regional battle. Other times there is bad blood between teams and tensions run high. With the River Cats, all those factors come into play against the Fresno Grizzlies and Reno Aces.

The Grizzlies visit Sacramento from July 14-17, while the Aces come to town July 22-25.

Fresno, the River Cats' South Division rivals and Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, seeks revenge in the Highway 99 Showdown. While Sacramento has won nine division titles since 2000, Fresno is without a crown. The River Cats own a 110-73 all-time record against the Grizzlies. To top it off, last season the River Cats overcame a 12.5-game deficit to the Grizzlies and won the PCL South Division.

Fresno has done its best to sour Sacramento's playoff hopes this season, leading the season series 5-games-to-2.
Tensions might be higher in the Interstate 80 series against Reno, the River Cats' likely first-round playoff opponent should Sacramento win the division. Benches have cleared twice this season, and while no punches have been thrown it's clear that these two first-place teams don't see eye-to-eye.
 

The Aces have yet to make a postseason appearance since relocating from Tucson in 2009, and Reno Manager Brett Butler would like nothing better than to meet his rival River Cats in a September postseason matchup.
 

Sacramento has 14 games remaining against these rivals, including nine at Raley Field. With a playoff berth on the line, what better way to build two intense rivalries?