So a little over a week ago, Baltimore Orioles young stud Manny Machado slid into second base and landed a spike into the calf of Boston Red Sox veteran Dustin Pedroia. In retaliation, Matt Barnes threw behind Machado’s head two days later. Neither team agreed with the action of throwing at Machado’s head, but the incident happened and it appeared as though the controversy was behind us, right? Wrong.
In the series opener against the Orioles this week, Mookie Betts was drilled in the hip with a ball by O’s pitcher Dylan Bundy. The next night, the Fenway faithful was treated to another Chris Sale performance, in which he dominated. Not surprising. Before Sale would fan 11 and pick up the W, he made it apparent that the past had not been forgotten. The North Remembers.
And the war simmers on…. #RedSox #Orioles pic.twitter.com/Pv6bGqydxY
— David Wade (@davidwade) May 2, 2017
Oh, baby. Here we go. It looks like we’re about to reach the boiling point. Earlier this week I wrote about how the Orioles are the Red Sox’ main rival right now, and I will say it again and again until the baseball world has reached a consensus. Forget the New York Yankees. Machado had some choice words for the entire Red Sox organization after getting thrown at, and it looks like the O’s are on board with the rivalry as well.
And let’s not forget that the Red Sox most prized possession and walking Head and Shoulders ad Andrew Benintendi was also targeted last night. What happened to not throwing at the head, Orioles?
My life flashed before my eyes here. pic.twitter.com/iDdCpT6g4t
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) May 3, 2017
I have been rooting for some drama for a while now. I wished with all my heart that the Red Sox vs. Yankees rivalry would heat up, only to be disappointed year in and year out. But this, my friends, is a gift. Of course, I would never wish anyone to be hit in the head with a baseball and I am disgusted by any fan hurling racist remarks or objects at the Orioles players. That fan should have to walk through Orioles batting practice with a target on his back like one of those carts that pick up golf balls on a driving range. Grow up. But I am looking forward to a year filled with emotional games. With David Ortiz gone from the Red Sox lineup, the team needs leadership and fire. This rivalry will lead to that.
The series is knotted at 1-1 right now, with games 3 and 4 coming up. Before the series is over, I fully expect a brawl to break out. There has been enough dilly-dallying and throwing around batters. The next person to get drilled by a pitch will charge the mound and we will have reached code red. The Red Sox and Orioles are on the brink of war.
Follow Ben on Twitter @Ben13Porter
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