Dodgers: MLB issues ridiculous suspension to Joe Kelly, Dave Roberts for actions vs Astros

Major League Baseball was heavy-handed in their suspension of Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly.

After letting the Houston Astros off relatively easy for cheating through at least two seasons of baseball, including during the 2017 World Series in which they stole a championship from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Baseball took a firm stance against Joe Kelly for throwing at Astros hitters on Tuesday night.

Kelly will be suspended for 8 games and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will be suspended for 1 game.

Over a traditional 162-game season, that would equate to a 22-game suspension for Kelly and nearly a 3-game suspension for Roberts. While the Dodgers skipper will serve his penalty immediately, Kelly is appealing the decision. MLB cited Kelly’s previous history of intentionally throwing at hitters in delivering their ruling.

Keep in mind that no Astros player was suspended for their part in the sign-stealing scandal that rocked baseball.

Joe Kelly won the hearts of Dodgers fans for his actions against the Astros.

Joe Kelly took the frustration of Dodgers Nation into his own hands on Tuesday when he threw high and wide against Astros slugger Alex Bregman, before throwing another pitch near Carlos Correa’s head.

After striking out Correa, Kelly supposedly told the star shortstop, “Nice swing, B*tch,” which led to both benches clearing in front of the Dodgers dugout. No punches were thrown, but tensions had reached a boiling point.

Roberts told reporters via Zoom on Wednesday that MLB officials were upset at the prospect of the two teams drawing close to each other when benches emptied onto the field.

"“They were not pleased,’’ Roberts said via USA Today. “Baseball is under a microscope right now. But as coaches, myself included, I have to do a better job of guys staying on the bench.  When tempers flared, I tried to get out there and keep it at bay, and minimize it, but I’ve got to make sure guys stay on the bench and follow protocols.’’"

The Dodgers face off against the Astros again on Wednesday with Dustin May set to take the mound. The two teams play twice more at Dodger Stadium in August. Of course, without fans in attendance and with the pandemic hanging over the season, the significance of the two teams meeting for the first time since the Astros cheating scandal was revealed seems less than it would under normal conditions.

However, the Dodgers clearly still have strong feelings toward the Astros for robbing them of a championship. Kelly wasn’t part of the 2017 team who lost in the World Series, but he did play for the Red Sox team that lost to Houston in the ALDS that season.