If you missed it, the following happened over the weekend between Trevor Bauer and Fernando Tatís Jr.:
It was on the heels of Tatís doing some big celebrating of home runs off Bauer and Bauer condoning/encouraging such celebrating after the game, so there was an element to it of “we’re not joking, but we’re acting a little like we’re joking,” like a stepdad and a birthdad razzing each other at a little league game before getting in a fight at a bar later that night that ends any hope birthmom had of a cordial graduation party down the line.
In other words, this is perfect.
Bauer’s a great heel. Tatís is willing to get a little cheeky. The Dodgers aren’t great villains overall—a little too likable (thanks, Mookie Betts’s smile and Cody Bellinger’s stoner vibe and Clayton Kershaw’s affability and Joe Kelly’s entire existence)—which makes Bauer especially perfect as a target for how-are-they-this-good rage, which we all might be feeling later this year. The Padres, meanwhile, are already great heroes. Everyone’s a great hero when they 1) aren’t annoying 2) go all in 3) haven’t won anything yet. Which means nothing’s holding Tatís back.
The best thing for this is not Bauer and Tatís fighting. It’s celebrations escalating and chirpings escalating and Tatís going up to bat and just staring at the catcher’s crotch waiting for the signs to punk the Dodgers. That’s how this should go.
Let’s hope it goes there.
