Tensions were high in the 2024 National League Division Series.
Despite the San Diego Padres almost eliminated the Los Angeles and eventually fell to LA, the Padres were undoubtedly the most challenging postseason team Los Angeles will overcome.
More news: Dave Roberts says the and Padres are rivals
When both clubs fought to advance to the NL Championship Series, the Padres third base hand Manny Machado got caught up in a debate with former starting pitcher Jack Flaherty in Game 2.
Flaherty hit spaceship Fernando Tatis Jr. at the top of the six innings. Flaherty then hits Machado the same inning and tells him to “sit down the F***.”
Machado responded by throwing the ball towards the ‘ dugout after warming up for the bottom of six innings.
The ball was thrown in the direction of manager Dave Roberts.
After reviewing the footage of the Slow, Roberts said, “There was an intention behind it (slow).”
At the time of the incident, Roberts had no communication with Machado, except for a headshake, which suggested that Flaherty had not intentionally attacked Tatis Jr.
Roberts told reporters this week he has not spoken to Machado since the incident. However, the pair will face six more times in the next two weeks as the and Padres perform in two series.
“No, I’m not talking to him,” Roberts said. “I’ll chat a little.”
Machado had a short stint with the in the second half of the 2018 season. Los Angeles has earned six All-Stars on a trade deadline agreement with the Baltimore Orioles.
Roberts initially described the incident as “uneasy,” but he said he still respected his previous players.
“There’s mutual respect,” Roberts said. “As I said last year, it’s gamemanship. We’re doing what the club can do to win. But love and respect have not changed anything.”
The claimed the first of the first games of six games against the Padres, beating San Diego (8-7) in 10 innings. In the first game, there was no bad blood between the opposing teams, but Machado had problems with the referees with the loss of the innings.
More news: ‘ Tommy Edman discusses this week’s big series with the Giants with the Padres
Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Immagn Image
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