Angel Hernandez, Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers. (Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)
A recent development hangs a dark cloud over a promising NLDS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants.
Tonight, the Los Angeles Dodgers start their title defense against the San Francisco Giants in Game 1 of the NLDS. This matchup has all the makings of a classic series. Division rivals, the two best records in baseball (both over 105 wins), and the defending World Series Champions.
As the MLB world was building excitement, they received some rather unfortunate news regarding the series on the night before — the news that infamous umpire Angel Hernandez has been assigned to the series.
A scroll through the comments and quotes of the tweet announcing this assignment demonstrates the frustration this brings MLB fans. Anytime a fan knows a baseball umpire by name, it’s not usually a good thing.
Angel Hernandez assigned to Dodgers – Giants series
Hernandez is the only umpire that trends on Twitter more and faster than players. Open up the app and look at the trending section during baseball season and you will find his name. It’s never a surprise why he’s there, as it’s always for his notoriously bad pitch calls, except the one time he fell into the dugout earlier this week.
Take a look at some of his worst work.
Unfortunately for the Dodges and Giants, this isn’t uncommon ground, as Hernandez’s poor calls took over their series back in June. In an already intense series with a slim margin for error, both clubs will also have to battle a subpar umpire.