At the beginning of the NLDS, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts accused Manny Machado of throwing a baseball “with something behind me and at me.”
Apparently, it was all a game man.
Roberts first discussed the incident Monday, about 24 hours after the San Diego Padres defeated the Dodgers 10-2 in their own stadium in Game 2 of the series.
The incident occurred during that match, during which a feud between Machado and Jack Flaherty escalated. Dodgers fans even threw debris at Jurickson Profar and Fernando Tatis Jr., causing a delay.
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Dave Roberts admitted that the drama involving Manny Machado was used as a “distraction” for the team. (Imagination)
However, Roberts made no mention of Machado's pitching at the end of the game. The manager was then asked if his delayed response was all part of the plan.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Roberts admitted after the Dodgers defeated San Diego in Game 5 to advance to the NLCS.
Roberts said this is a way to find something to rally the team rather than deal with additional pressure.
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado reacts after striking out in the sixth inning of Game 2 of the 2024 MLB Playoffs against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. (Jane Kamin Onsia/Imagn Images)
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“As a manager, you don't want to make yourself the talk of the town, but I just felt like in that situation I could give the players some relief,” Roberts said.
“Manny and I have a really good relationship. I'll take him any time. But I didn't think that distraction was bad for our guys. And they're great for me. I responded by giving my back.”
Roberts probably played the long game, as San Diego took a 2-1 lead in the series after winning Game 3. However, the Dodgers won Game 4 on the road, 8-0, and Game 5, 2-0, to take the series. The Padres were scoreless over the final 24 innings.
San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. and third baseman Manny Machado in the bottom of the third inning of Game 2 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. (Jane Kamin Onsia/Imagn Images)
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Los Angeles will face the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series. The Dodgers will host Game 1 on Sunday night, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET.
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