Just when you thought this series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres couldn’t get any more controversial, things got ratcheted up even further on Monday evening.
During a Monday press conference, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed the kerfuffle between pitcher Jack Flaherty and Padres 3B Manny Machado. Interestingly enough, Roberts touched upon the allegation that Machado threw a ball towards the Dodgers dugout.
Taking it further, Roberts said he saw the video of Machado tossing the ball at the LA dugout. Not only that, but he felt as if there was some intent behind the throw — and that it was aimed specifically at him.
As the video showed, Roberts had a visceral reaction as the throw bounced right in front of him on the netting separating his seat from the field.
Roberts said the following: “It was unsettling…Didn’t hit me because there was a net. If it was intended at me it’s disrespectful. I don’t know his intent. The ball was directed at me with something behind it.”
Things went even further when the video was sent to Major League Baseball for review. As of Tuesday morning — the day of Game 3 — no word has come out as to whether MLB will take action against Machado for his actions. Roberts also didn’t seem too happy that third base umpire Tripp Gibson was said to have had an “arm-around-each-other conversation” in the wake of the throw.
It’s anyone’s guess as to what will transpire tonight at Petco Park. You can be assured tensions will be running high. Roberts will almost surely be booed at unprecedented levels when introduced at the ballpark. We know the Padres will be playing with energy and an edge. Can the Dodgers match it — or will they go down in the series 2-1?