Sketchy Manny Machado baserunning screwed Freddie Freeman, opened Dodgers' floodgates

In between praising Manny Machado and trying to figure out Freddie Freeman's throwing lane, announcer John Smoltz realized what had actually happened as a fleet of San Diego Padres were circling the bases in the second inning of NLDS Game 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"When I first saw the Manny Machado play, I thought he was going in a direct line," Smoltz admitted before the mad dash's fifth replay, following Jake Cronenworth's agonizing infield single. "He actually got to the grass at one point, and it's smart on his part. He got to the grass, and made that angle really hard."

He sure did, John. He sure did get to the grass. In fact, he spent half of his trek between first and second on the infield turf, taking advantage of Freeman's rolled ankle and inability to stand up or situate himself properly.

With one on and nobody out in the second inning of a game the Dodgers led 1-0, Freeman clattered to the ground and stopped a Jackson Merrill rocket, but could barely compose a proper throw to second. From the seat of his pants, he heaved a toss to second base to start a double play -- or at least do something. Instead of finding Miguel Rojas' glove, it nicked off Machado, who had made his way conveniently into the throwing lane. According to Smoltz, he "did what he had to do."

It was a smart play. It also, like many other things Machado's done over the years, involved living on the edges of the rulebook.

Manny Machado veers onto grass, blocks Freddie Freeman's throwing lane in crafty and aggravating baserunning play in NLDS Game 3 Dodgers vs. Padres

There's no room for civility in baseball, though, as aggravating as that notion might be for Dodgers fans in this particular moment. Machado owes Freeman and the Dodgers absolutely nothing, especially after the role they've played in his vilification these past few days. If Freeman's playing, that means he's declaring himself healthy enough to play to the whistle. Machado was never going to accommodate his needs.

Still, that's not the baseline most players operate within, and Machado skirting the line made all the difference. With multiple runners on instead of at least one being retired, the inning spiraled into a six-run frame, capped off by one of the longest home runs you've ever seen by Fernando Tatis Jr. off Walker Buehler.

Buehler, and Freeman, have to tip their caps. They got outfoxed, in extremely annoying fashion, and a meltdown of epic proportions followed.