Machado blasts analysts, MLB for double standard in coverage, discipline
Warning: Story contains coarse language
Manny Machado isn't a fan of what he perceives as a double standard used by two MLB Network analysts and the league itself.
Eric Byrnes and Dan Plesac defended Houston Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick after his home-plate collision with Los Angeles Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy. Marisnick received a two-game suspension and was struck with a pitch by the Angels during Tuesday's game.
The San Diego Padres star criticized Byrnes and Plesac's coverage and argued that he wouldn't have received the same treatment if he was involved in a similar incident.
"If it was me, I would have probably gotten 20 games," Machado said during an Instagram Live video Tuesday night. "Byrnes, he knows everything about the game ... 'good play,' he's incredible. ... Talking about how they threw at (Marisnick's) head, how about when I got thrown at my head? Nobody was backing me up. They were saying that I deserved it. ...
"Marisnick, good job ... took it like a champ. Mad respect for that. ... Fucking Plesac, oh my god, this guy. Plesac and Byrnes - biggest tools out there. They don't know what they are talking about over there. I guess they gotta talk about something at least. They gotta protect their people.
"Machado? Forget about Machado. ... That's the key word, Machado - Latino."
Machado has dealt with his fair share of controversy this season. In April, an Arizona Diamondbacks analyst called him "bush league" for catcher interference. In mid-June, the 27-year-old was suspended for one game after getting ejected for arguing balls and strikes in a contest against the Colorado Rockies.
He also addressed that suspension in his video. "Other people do the same?" Machado said. "They just get a slap on the wrist. It's all good, though."