clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Detroit Tigers News: The Astros are cheating and the MLB playoffs are getting very interesting

Between the Astros possibly cheating and a wacky NLCS, the MLB playoffs are as drama-filled as ever.

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

League Championship Series - Boston Red Sox v Houston Astros - Game Three Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

The NBA regular season got underway on Tuesday evening, which ended yet another offseason that could easily be mistaken for a soap opera. Between player feuds, trade rumors, and whatever LeBron James was up to on a given day, the NBA was seemingly always in the limelight.

Luckily for us, the MLB playoffs are doing their best impression. First up is a drama-filled ALCS, which the Boston Red Sox now control after stealing Game 3 in Houston. Boston held a slim lead late, but Jackie Bradley broke the game open with an eighth inning grand slam reminiscent of the play that shall not be named. It lended more credence to our theory that the 2018 Astros are the 2013 Detroit Tigers, despite already having a championship trophy on their mantle.

That’s not even the best part, though. It seems that the Astros are cheating, and not in the semi-innocent “oh we figured out your signs” fashion.

According to a report from Metro USA, the Astros were caught red-handed with an employee with a video camera near the Boston Red Sox dugout in Game 1 of the ALDS. The alleged employee didn’t have a media credential and was “texting frequently” per the report from Metro.

Major League Baseball themselves confirmed the incident via email with a simple statement: “We are aware of the matter and it will be handled internally.”

I don’t know exactly what information that person could learn that wouldn’t be readily available elsewhere in the ballpark — it’s not like the Astros need to spy on who is warming up in the bullpen — but it’s apparently bad enough that the Indians warned the Red Sox about this before the ALCS.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers are just plain dirty

I didn’t mind Manny Machado’s blatant disregard for hustling down the line, because fake hustle is overrated, but this is not a good look.

That’s on purpose, point blank. I hope Machado is suspended for Game 5, if not longer.

Whether Machado plays or not, we are guaranteed to have a Game 6 in this year’s NLCS after the Dodgers evened the series in extra innings on Tuesday. Cody Bellinger drove in Machado (who else?) in the 13th inning, breaking open a game that had been knotted at 1-1 since the fifth inning.

The real fireworks came after the game, though.

Wednesday’s Game 5 is now must-see TV. First pitch is at 5:05 p.m. on Fox Sports 1, so set your DVRs ASAP.

Around the horn

Grant Brisbee is a little more appreciative of Machado’s heel turn this October. Rich Hill was tipping his pitches. Maybe Rich Hill is just very passionate about fighting tooth decay. The Marlins are doing away with the home run sculpture, and will be changing their logo too. Everything you need to know about the Tigers this offseason.