Manny Machado's baserunning puts him in the middle of another Dodgers NLDS controversy

Manny Machado is becoming the most hated man in Los Angeles during the MLB playoffs.

After being the focus of a controversial throw toward the Dodgers' dugout in Game 2 that infuriated opposing manager Dave Roberts, Machado helped lead off a six-run second inning in San Diego's 6-5 win in Game 3, with the Dodgers now on the verge of elimination.

Machado led off the inning with a single before NL Rookie of the Year candidate Jackson Merrill hit a potential double-play ball to first baseman Freddie Freeman.

Freeman dropped to his knees to catch the ball and then shot toward second, but Machado changed course and went to the turf.

His dodge to left put him directly in the throwing line of Freeman, who hit his helmet and bounced into left field. Freeman suffered a throwing error during the play while Machado advanced to third base.

Instead of two outs and nobody on, the Padres had runners on the corners with no outs while trailing 1-0.

The broadcast team noted the “veterinary move,” with Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz saying Freeman made an excellent jump move, but Machado “reached a little bit into the baseline.”

Roberts noted that he couldn't challenge Machado's baserunning, calling it an “exhilarating” maneuver.

Padres manager Mike Shildt praised his veteran for knowing the situation.

“Really good baseball game,” Sheldt said. “Basically, the baserunner can create his own baseline until there is an actual play attempt on him. So at this point you can run inside the line just like him and force a throw as is. You can do it from any base.

“Once the fielder has to attempt a play, the baseline is now set and you can go from there.”

Machado's play drew the ire of Dodgers fans, but the team completely unraveled after the game.

Los Angeles would make another error on the next batter when Xander Bogaerts hit a grounder to shortstop that easily could have been a double play but instead resulted in zero outs.

Fernando Tatis Jr. capped the inning with a two-run home run that gave the Padres a 6-1 lead.

That Machado was involved in such a controversial play only added fuel to the fire, as Roberts was already angry at her third baseman for throwing a ball near him in Game 2.

The Dodgers sent the tape to the league office for review, and Roberts called the throw “disrespectful.”

The intense series continues on Wednesday, where the Padres have a chance to close out the series and advance to the NLCS, where they would face the winner of Phillies-Mets.

San Diego turns to Dylan Cease for a short rest while the Dodgers will rely on the bullpen game in a must-win situation.

Due to injuries to stars Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow, as well as the ineffectiveness of others, their rotation was depleted and they were without starting Yoshinobu Yamamoto after a short layoff.