“Manny Machado has one of the best IQs in the game” - Fernando Tatis Jr. praises his teammate as Padres dominate Dodgers in NLDS Game 3

For many years, Manny Machado was seen as a villain in the context of MLB. However, as the matured version of the top-tier slugger takes on a leadership role for the San Diego Padres in their postseason push, that image is undergoing a transition.

Machado now has hits in four out of five of his team's postseason games this season, including a home run and four RBIs. The most experienced member of the Padres in the postseason, Machado recently drew praise from teammate Fernando Tatis Jr, who told MLB.com after the club's win in Game 3:

"Manny has one of the best IQs in the game, and we put it all in play together at the right moment."

In the second inning of Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a heads-up baserunning play helped set the stage for a six-run second inning for San Diego. Manny Machado would finish the game 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Fernando Tatis Jr. has also been having an incredible postseason. In addition to sporting 1.969 OPS - the highest in the 2024 MLB playoffs, the 25-year-old is also the purveyor of 4 homers and 7 RBIs in six games for the Padres.

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Of the 30 runs scored by the Padres this postseason, Tatis Jr. and Machado have either scored or driven in 24. Despite a Grand Slam from Teoscar Hernandez in Game 3, Tatis' jack stood as the winning run for the Padres, who are now one win away from an NLCS date with either the New York Mets or Philadelphia Phillies.

Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. pave the way to the NLCS

The contributions from both Machado and Tatis have been nothing short of monumental for the Padres so far this postseason. As Manny Machado said in the same MLB.com piece, Tatis deserves credit as well:

"It's been awesome, man. I've seen him enough to know that he shines when he needs to, and what he's doing at the plate has been unbelievable ... He doesn't shy away from the moment. He rises above it."

All season, it was virtually assumed that the Dodgers would be the NL club to make the World Series. Now, thanks to some very serious slugging on the part of both Machado and Tatis, that forecast is looking decreasingly likely by the game.