During a recent NLDS game, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made headlines when he accused Manny Machado of throwing a baseball at him with force. However, Roberts later revealed that the drama surrounding Machado was actually used as a strategic “diversion” tactic for his team. This revelation came after the Dodgers secured a win in Game 5 to advance to the NLCS.
Roberts explained that by creating a diversion with the incident involving Machado, he was hoping to take some pressure off his players and give them something to rally around. Despite the tension between Machado and the Dodgers during the series, Roberts emphasized that he has a good relationship with Machado and would choose him on his team any day.
The Dodgers faced a tough challenge from the San Diego Padres, who managed to take a 2-1 series lead after Game 3. However, the Dodgers bounced back with a commanding 8-0 win in Game 4 on the road and ultimately clinched the series with a 2-0 victory in Game 5. The Padres struggled to score runs in the final 24 innings of the series, allowing the Dodgers to emerge victorious.
Looking ahead, the Los Angeles Dodgers will now face the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series. The first game is set to take place on Sunday night, with the Dodgers hosting the Mets at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Overall, Roberts’ strategic use of the Machado drama as a diversion paid off for the Dodgers, as they were able to regroup and secure a spot in the NLCS. It will be interesting to see how the team continues to perform in the upcoming series against the Mets, as they look to advance to the World Series.