Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stirred the pot ahead of Tuesday’s crucial Game 3 against the San Diego Padres by commenting on a recent incident involving Padres star Manny Machado. During Game 2, the Dodgers alleged that Machado threw a baseball toward their dugout, which Roberts claims nearly struck him in the sixth inning.
“I didn’t notice it at the time. I really didn’t. I didn’t notice it. I did see the video. And it was unsettling,” Roberts stated, as reported by ASAP Sports. He emphasized his long-standing relationship with Machado, suggesting that there was intent behind the throw. “It didn’t almost hit me because there was a net. And that was very bothersome. If it was intended at me, I would be very – it’s pretty disrespectful. So I don’t know his intent. I don’t want to speak for him. But I did see the video. And the ball was directed at me with something behind it.”
When asked whether Machado should have been ejected from the game, Roberts expressed his opinion on the umpires’ handling of the situation, stating he didn’t think they “should have had a little arm-around-each-other conversation” with Machado.
Roberts was not alone in his discomfort regarding the incident. Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty exchanged words with Machado after striking him out in the sixth inning, leading to a back-and-forth between the two players in the bottom half.
Machado responded to the incident in a postgame interview, downplaying it as a normal occurrence in a tense playoff atmosphere. He stated, “I throw balls all the time into dugouts. Both dugouts.” He further elaborated, “I’ve already turned the page, and I’m just looking forward to playing in front of our fans tomorrow and preparing for another tough battle against a very good team.”
The wild contest on Sunday included additional tensions, such as exchanges between Jurickson Profar and Will Smith and a delay caused by fans throwing objects at Padres outfielders. Ultimately, San Diego won the game 10-2, tying the series at one game each.
Roberts reflected on the evolving dynamics of the rivalry, noting that he perceives the roles have shifted, with the Dodgers no longer seen as the villains in this series. He suggested that this change could benefit his team as they head into a challenging environment at Petco Park. “I think clearly, that team over there … they like the villain-type role, and they feed off that,” Roberts remarked. “And so whatever gets us going, the motivation is individually, collectively, to win a baseball game, (and) to win a series. And so again, it’s gonna be hostile (in San Diego), it’s gonna be noisy and rowdy, and it’s up to us to still stay focused and compete and fight like I’ve said time and time again.”
