"They’re inside the Dodgers’ heads" - MLB insider sees Manny Machado's leadership giving Padres advantage over Shohei Ohtani & Co. with NLDS tied 1-1

Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres dominated Game 2 of the National League Division Series with an impressive 10-2 victory, which tied the series 1-1. Thanks to an all-out assault, the Friars were able to bounceback, powering themselves to a much-needed victory before returning to San Diego for the third game.

While the Los Angeles Dodgers have long been considered the favorites to win the World Series, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal believes that thanks to the exploits and leadership of Manny Machado, the Padres might have their opposition's number. Despite criticism of Machado early in his career, Rosenthal believes that the All-Star third baseman has become the leader that his team needed.

Rosenthal said during the FOX Sports broadcast during Game 2 of the NLDS:

"Well, what we saw in that dugout tonight, in that meeting, that was the most visible and powerful act of leadership in his career. He’s 32 now. Clearly a different guy."

Although it was a relatively quiet Game 2 from Machado from a statistical stand point, the third baseman found himself at the the center of a controversy. The six-time All-Star was seen tossing a ball toward the Dodgers dugout after the warm up, sparking a debate about whether or not he meant to throw it at manager Dave Roberts.

Despite Rosenthal condemning Manny Machado's actions, he believes that his willingness to play the "villain" could work in the San Diego Padres' favor. Even though the Dodgers have a lineup that features Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, Rosenthal believes that Machado can get under their skin:

"At the moment, one thing seems clear: The Padres aren’t just a heck of a team. They’re also inside the Dodgers’ heads. Teams often take on the personalities of their leaders."

It remains to be seen if there will be any sort of retaliation against Manny Machado when the series continues on Tuesday night in San Diego. Either way, the Dodgers will need to focus on their own game as they looked completely overmatched in Game 2.

Manny Machado says Dodgers fans throwing objects at them during Game 2 helped them pull off victory

If there was one thing that could be said about Game 2 in Los Angeles, it was heated. Tensions continued to grow throughout the game between the San Diego Padres and Dodgers fans.

From Jurickson Profar hiding that he pulled back a home run from Mookie Betts to Fernando Tatis Jr. taunting the crowd, it was an electric, albeit hostile atmosphere. Dodgers fans caused a 10-minute delay after someone threw a baseball in Profar's direction, while others were seen throwing water bottles into the Padres' bullpen. Despite the incidents, Machado thinks it helped fuel his squad.

"I mean, we scored, what, six runs after that? Five? Four? I don't know. It was six? Yeah, maybe it fired us up," Machado said after the game.

Before this series even began, it was being hyped as one of the most intriguing in the postseason. Now, it has quickly become must-watch television.