Manny Machado Is DONE With Disloyalty: That 5-1 Regular Season Record Against the Cubs Just Got Personal

San Diego Padres slugger Manny Machado isn’t here for any fair-weather vibes as the team gears up for their NL Wild Card Game 1 against the Chicago Cubs. Forget subtle jabs, because Machado flat-out called out CBS 8 reporter Karthik Venkataraman for daring to sport Cubs colors right there in San Diego, proving some loyalties are non-negotiable when the stakes are this high. This wasn’t some friendly banter, this was a statement.

The Blue Jacket Blunder That Set the Tone

It all went down before Tuesday’s crucial NL Wild Card Game 1. Venkataraman was just trying to ask his question, probably thinking nothing of his attire, but Machado noticed. And when the Padres veteran spotted that blue jacket, he didn’t hold back, interrupting the reporter with a blunt, “Hey, aren’t you from San Diego? Why are you wearing blue?” Talk about putting someone on the spot! Venkataraman, maybe a little rattled, shot back, “Yeah, you like it? You don’t like it?” Machado’s reply was pure, unadulterated conviction: “Obviously not.” This wasn’t just about a jacket, it was about showing up fully behind your team, especially when you’re supposed to be on the home side.

Why Every Ounce of Support Matters Against the Cubs

This isn’t just Machado being particular about fashion, either. The context here is brutal: the Padres lost the regular-season series against the very same Chicago Cubs by a crushing 5-1 margin. Yeah, you read that right, 5-1. That’s a record that screams for every single person connected to the team, from players to media, to be locked in and fully committed. Machado knows what’s coming in this playoff series, and he knows his squad needs every bit of emotional and moral support they can get. He’s not interested in disloyalty or even the *appearance* of it, especially with a tough matchup looming right in front of them. That “obviously not” wasn’t just for Venkataraman, it was a message to anyone who might not be 100% in.

Game 1 of the NL Wild Card against the Cubs is staring the Padres down right now. After that rough regular season series, it’s clear Machado is looking for absolute unity. The pressure is on, and for him, that means no blue jackets, no doubt, just pure San Diego backing.

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Originally reported by Bleacher Report.