"Trying to get under your skin" - Max Muncy says Padres resorting to gamesmanship to derail Dodgers in NLDS 

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy believes the San Diego Padres are using some underhanded tactics to gain an edge in the ongoing National League Division Series. Muncy said that the Padres are showboating at every possible opportunity as they feed off the emotions of their fans while trying to throw the Dodgers off guard with some mind games.

Muncy is a nine-year MLB veteran who made his major league debut with the Oakland Athletics in 2015. He joined the Dodgers as a free agent in 2018 and has won two All-Star selections with the team. Muncy has reached the postseason in each of his seven seasons with the Dodgers so far and was a major part of their World Series-clinching team in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

On Tuesday, Muncy spoke with reporters during a press conference ahead of Game 3 of the NLDS.

"Just something as simple as a single and you see a guy throw the bat 30 feet in the air," Muncy said. "That really gets the crowd going here.

"That is kind of part of their game, trying to get under your skin and trying to have the emotion come out. Trying to get you to do something that you're not normally doing," he added.

The two NL West division rivals have been locked in a fierce series that has spilled out of hand on a few occasions. The Dodgers came from behind to win the opening encounter, but the Padres replied with an emphatic victory the next day to level the series.

You can't let that happen: Max Muncy on Dodgers falling prey to Padres tactics

Max Muncy feels the Padres are using gamesmanship to thwart the Dodgers (Image Credit: IMAGN)

Bad blood has been raging between both clubs over the past few years, which came to a head in Game 2 of the NLDS this past Sunday.

Padres left fielder Jurickson Profar riled up the home fans at Dodger Stadium with his playacting after robbing a home run off Mookie Betts. Dodgers fans later hurled objects at him on the field, which forced a temporary stoppage of play. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have also accused Padres third baseman Manny Machado of throwing a ball at their manager Dave Roberts during the game.

Muncy said he feels the Dodgers players cannot allow themselves to fall victim to the feisty Padres' gamesmanship tactics.

"If you're a pitcher and you see a guy doing that and all of a sudden you want to throw harder, and now you're missing balls right over the plate," Muncy said.

"And that's where their guys are doing the damage. ... You can't let that happen," he added.

Game 3 between the Dodgers and Padres starts on Tuesday at Petco Park.