Manny Machado Makes Amends With Reporter Following Viral Comment

San Diego Padres star Manny Machado apologized to CBS 8 reporter Karthik Venkataraman after their heated exchange over the day prior to the Wild Card Series kickoff. During the contest, Machado questioned why Venkataraman was wearing blue, implying that he was not from San Diego. However, ahead of their first game against the Chicago Cubs, Machado praised the reporter's suit, stating it was a "good adjustment" and that he liked it.

Similarly, teammate Fernando Tatis Jr. echoed Machado's sentiment, calling the suit "good brown" as well. Both Machado and Tatis Jr. set a positive tone for the series, both hitting home runs in the first inning to give the Padres an early lead, with high OPS numbers and multiple runs scored. The Padres continued to dominate the first game, scoring eight runs overall, while the Cubs' offense proved to be the best in the regular season.

The Padres' pitching staff held their own, allowing only one run to the Cubs despite facing one of the most prolific offenses in MLB. Following their sweep of the Cubs, the Padres will advance to the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers, hoping to add to their legacy by winning their first World Series as a franchise in 2026.