Power ranking the villains in the NLCS, and yes, Manny Macahdo surges to the top of the list
The Milwaukee Brewers were supposedly one of the teams chasing after the top prize in this summer's trade market, Orioles infielder Manny Machado, and many fans were disappointed when the Brewers finished behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the bidding.
But on Tuesday night (er, Wednesday morning), many Brewers fans no longer had any lingering sense of remorse.
Machado kicked first baseman Jesus Aguilar in the 10th inning, the latest Machado episode that demonstrates his style of dirty play. In addition to not running out a grounder to first base ("not my cup of tea," which is fine for the Brewers), Machado twice appeared to try a dirty slide to break up a double play. On the second attempt, the runner was called out at first base after replay (for a double play).
RELATED:Brewers seethe after Manny Machado kicks Jesus Aguilar: 'Dirty play by a dirty player'
To add massive insult to injury, Machado took second on a wild pitch in the 13th inning in Game 4, then scored on a two-out single by Cody Bellinger, giving the Dodgers a 2-1 win and tie in the series.
If the series needed any extra juice, it has some now. Here's our power rankings of the villains in the NLCS for Brewers fans.
1. Manny Machado
Between the slides and the kick -- not to mention the fact that he has a home run and a couple key hits -- it's pretty easy to despise this guy. Christian Yelich and other Brewers pulled no punches talking to reporters during the Game 4 postgame.
2. Joe Buck and John Smoltz
The Fox Sports broadcast team hasn't won many new fans in Milwaukee, although it depends on whom you ask to explain the booth's shortcomings.
RELATED:Wisconsin sports fans hate Joe Buck ... even the baseball version
Many fans have expressed feelings that the national team is "biased" toward the Dodgers (author's note: *extreme eye roll*), but Smoltz has also gotten criticism for obsessing over the team's usage of Josh Hader in a series where the Dodgers have just as frequently used their bullpen (one more relief appearance through four games, though Brewers have thrown 25 2/3 relief innings, Dodgers 19 2/3), and other Brewers relievers have proven formidable.
Just for some perspective, there's a completely opposite viewpoint from Dodgers fans.
Sure would suggest Smoltz and Buck are calling the games down-the-middle and doing it right, but that's just a personal opinion. I know, right now you're saying "no it's NOT down the middle, they're definitely biased against (insert my team here)."
3. Yasiel Puig
Puig caught some boos during the games at Miller Park, probably stemming from his NLDS-celebration prediction that the Dodgers would sweep the Brewers. The brash Puig rubs a lot of people the wrong way, but like Machado, he was almost a Brewer.
Puig made a similar proclamation prior to the NLDS series against the Braves. He also had sort of a weird interaction with Jeremy Jeffress in Game 3.
4. Dylan Hernandez
The Los Angeles Times columnist remarked on Twitter that Miller Park wasn't as rowdy as it could have been in Game 1 and Game 2, then continued to double down on his observation to the delight of Brewers fans.
It did get awfully loud right about ... here.
To be fair, Hernandez made similar observations at Dodger Stadium in Game 3.
5. David Freese
Actually, Freese hasn't done much of anything in this series, although he did hit a home run that Lorenzo Cain took away. He's been subbed out early in games after the Brewers have switched to their right-handers out of the bullpen, but Milwaukee fans still aren't quite over the hurt he put on the Brewers in the 2011 NLCS.
6. Clayton Kershaw
Nothing against the guy -- he's great, and seemingly a great dude, too. But when you think of the Dodgers, you picture the specter of facing one of the best left-handers of all time, even if the Brewers were able to get to him in Game 1. He'll pitch again in Game 5, and there's a pretty good chance he'll be available in some capacity for a potential Game 7. Which is scary.