Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly has been suspended eight games by MLB for his role in escalating tensions during Tuesday night's game against the Houston Astros.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has also been suspended, and will serve his suspension on Wednesday night. Astros manager Dusty Baker was fined.
Joe Kelly and Dave Roberts suspended for Dodgers-Astros incident: pic.twitter.com/USYI2OxZKk
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 29, 2020
Such a suspension is pretty massive, considering the 2020 MLB season is just 60 games.
However, Kelly is reportedly appealing his suspension, meaning he will be allowed to continue pitching until the appeal process has been completed.
Kelly is appealing the suspension, so he'll be allowed to pitch until an appeal process is completed. He received eight games, with MLB noting that he has previously been suspended in his career for intentional throwing.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 29, 2020
Tuesday's game between the two clubs initially seemed like a normal affair. But that changed when Astros third baseman Alex Bregman stepped to the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Kelly fell behind 3-0 to Bregman, and proceeded to buzz a 96 mph fastball right by his ear. Bregman was clearly upset by the pitch, though he did not do anything to provoke Kelly or worsen the situation.
Later in the inning, however, Kelly seemed to welcome confrontation. He struck out Astros shortstop Carlos Correa with a slider, then proceeded to make faces at Correa and shout in his direction.
Joe Kelly throws at Bregman and mocks Correa, a breakdown pic.twitter.com/jAwjXhCuLG
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) July 29, 2020
Astros manager Dusty Baker said after the game Kelly told Correa “Nice swing, b***h” after the strikeout.
Dusty Baker said Joe Kelly told Carlos Correa "nice swing, bitch" following the strikeout.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 29, 2020
Benches cleared as Correa walked towards Kelly, though the incident did not result in any physical action.
Obviously, there is some interesting recent history between the Dodgers and Astros. The two sides squared off in the 2017 World Series, which is now tainted by a massive sign-stealing investigation finding Houston culpable of cheating.
Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson even alluded to the sign-stealing scandal prior to Tuesday's game.
#Dodgers OF Joc Pederson doesn't think whatever team wins the World Series this year should have an asterisk by its name. "They're not cheating their way to get there," he said.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) July 28, 2020
In any case, it will be interesting to see whether tensions flare again on Wednesday night in Houston.
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