A number of story lines connect the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers entering Tuesday's World Series opener, and one of them has been in the back of some Red Sox players' minds for more than a year.
In April 2017, while still a member of the Baltimore Orioles, current Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado spiked Dustin Pedroia in the knee while sliding into second base.
(Video courtesy: MLB.com)
Pedroia was injured on the play and hasn't been the same since. He played through the knee ailment for the rest of the 2017 campaign, underwent offseason surgery, and appeared in just three games this season.
Red Sox pitcher Matt Barnes retaliated by throwing near Machado's head and was suspended four games.
Heading into the World Series, Barnes was asked about the incident. He said the Red Sox haven't forgotten what Machado did.
"You're talking about a play in which Pedey still hasn't played since then, really," Barnes told The Eagle-Tribune's Chris Mason. "When you take out a captain, a leader of a team, that's not going to sit well with anybody. It kind of is what it is. You move on. I don't see anything happening, I really don't, but it doesn't mean that we've forgotten about it."
Machado found himself in the spotlight during the Dodgers' last playoff series against the Milwaukee Brewers, who called him dirty after two questionable slides into second base. He was reportedly fined by the league for a run-in with Jesus Aguilar at first base, and appeared to shake his crotch at Miller Park after beating out a bunt single in Game 7.
"Honestly I'm not surprised about that. It just kind of seems like it's a trend," Barnes said. "But our job is to go win a World Series. ... I think the sweetest revenge would be to win a World Series and celebrate with them watching."
