MLB Playoffs: Dodgers Manager Recants His Accusations Toward Manny Machado

Game 2 of the National League Division Series introduced a sideshow into a tense, see-saw battle between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres — one that roped in Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and Padres third baseman Manny Machado.

It began when Machado chucked a baseball in the direction of the Dodgers’ dugout, bouncing off a protective screen in front of Roberts. Context is key to understanding why the Padres thought nothing of it: the ball had been scuffed up previously and Machado was tossing the ball in the direction of a ball boy, something he usually does in that situation.

But the throw was perhaps a bit zippier than usual. A couple Dodgers — notably pitcher Jack Flaherty — took offense.

Roberts said nothing of the incident in his postgame press conference after the Dodgers’ 10-2 loss. But the following day, he had some unusually harsh words for Machado, calling the incident “unsettling,” “very bothersome,” and “pretty disrespectful.” He said “there was intent behind” Machado’s throw.

Friday, after the Dodgers beat the Padres 2-0 in Game 5 to clinch the series, Roberts essentially recanted his accusations in an interview with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. He said his reaction was designed to take the pressure off his own players.

More news: Dodgers Submit Video of Manny Machado’s Throw Toward Their Dugout to MLB

“As a manager, you never want to make it about you,” Roberts said. “But I just felt in that situation, if we could take (the pressure) off our guys a little bit…Manny and I have a really good relationship. I would take him any day. But I don’t think that diversion was a bad thing for our guys. And they responded by having my back.”

Machado played for the Dodgers, and Roberts, in 2018. He signed an 11-year, $350 million free-agent contract with San Diego after the season.

Machado’s heel turn, signing a lucrative contract with a division rival, made him a logical lightning rod for the Dodgers and their fans.

Machado, 32, has embraced the role. He used it as a rallying point to focus his teammates when he called an impromptu meeting in the dugout later in Game 2 — which paused for 12 minutes after fans at Dodger Stadium threw objects in the direction of the Padres’ outfielders.

The Dodgers submitted a video of Machado’s throw in the direction of Roberts to Major League Baseball. The league ostensibly felt the incident did not warrant any supplemental discipline.

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Roberts ultimately decided to let bygones be bygones. Perhaps that was easier to do after his team emerged victorious from a tense series, but kudos to the manager for setting the record straight — and for effectively using a harmless action by an opponent as a motivational tool for his players.

For more MLB postseason news, visit Newsweek Sports.