Dodgers manager Dave Roberts admits he used the Manny Machado drama as a “distraction” for his team

Early in their NLDS, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts accused Manny Machado of throwing a baseball “aimed at me with something behind it.”

Apparently it was just a game.

Roberts first discussed the incident Monday, about 24 hours after the San Diego Padres surrounded the Dodgers in their own stadium and posted a 10-2 win in Game 2 of the series.

The incident occurred during that game and there were heated arguments between Machado and Jack Flaherty during the game. Dodgers fans even threw debris at Jurickson Profar and Fernando Tatis Jr., causing a delay.

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Dave Roberts admitted the Manny Machado drama was used as a “distraction” for his team. (IMAGN)

However, Roberts never mentioned Machado's throw as the game ended. Therefore, the manager was asked whether his late reaction was part of a plan.

“That was it. That was it,” Roberts admitted after the Dodgers beat San Diego in Game 5 and advanced to the NLCS.

Roberts said it was a way to get the team to find something to rally around instead of enduring more pressure.

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado reacts after striking out in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 2 of their NLDS in the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)

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“As a manager, you never want to worry too much about yourself. But I just felt like in this situation if we could take it away from our guys a little bit,” Roberts said.

“Manny and I have a really good relationship. I would take it any day. But I don't think this distraction was bad for our guys. And they responded by supporting me.”

Maybe Roberts was playing the long game because San Diego actually took a 2-1 lead after winning Game 3. But the Dodgers won Game 4 on the road 8-0 and then clinched the series by winning Game 5 2-0. The Padres didn't score a run in their final 24 innings.

San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr., left, and third baseman Manny Machado in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 2 of the NLDS in the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)

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Los Angeles will face the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series. The Dodgers host Game 1 on Sunday night, with first pitch at 8:15 p.m. ET.

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