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Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado’s animated second-base display during Wednesday’s Game 2 caught the eye of the Boston Red Sox, with pitching coach Dana LeVangie saying they believed Machado was trying to relay pitches.
“Was it a little exaggerated? Yeah, maybe, but I saw the whole thing,” LeVangie told Bleacher Report. “I had told Alex [Cora] I wanted to go [to the mound] before the [Yasiel] Puig at-bat because I wanted to talk about some things.”
The Dodgers have made a habit this season of performing best when the chips are down. But if they can’t do it again, their season will end this weekend.
After posting 108 wins, Boston has been dominant in the playoffs. Winning the title in L.A. would put its season on an elite level. But just how elite?
No team in history has come back from a 3-0 Fall Classic deficit. If visiting Boston beats rookie Walker Buehler & Co. in Game 3, well … good night and good luck, Los Angeles.
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After reaching second base in the fourth inning, Machado appeared to send signals to Enrique Hernandez and Puig by touching his helmet, jersey or pants.
David Price struck out Hernandez but gave up an RBI single to Puig. LeVangie told Bleacher Report that he didn’t want to use a mound visit to clue Price in on Machado’s antics and ruin the Red Sox lefty’s momentum following the strikeout. LeVangie did go to the mound after Puig’s hit.
“We had a conversation,” LeVangie said. “I don’t want to get into the depths of it, but I brought up exactly what you’re talking about. I let it get in my way — because of the strikeout, I didn’t go out there [earlier]. I was so pissed that I didn’t.”
There are no rules against runners sending signs to batters, and LeVangie noted that it was on Price and catcher Christian Vazquez to be more careful.
Machado previously drew headlines this postseason when he ran into Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar during the National League Championship Series. Machado’s animated celebrations have also drawn scrutiny and praise from baseball fans.
A source told ESPN that Machado was fined for the collision with Aguilar.
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