The longstanding beef between Washington Nationals star Juan Soto and Atlanta Braves reliever Will Smith continued Friday night. The two squared off against each other in the ninth inning with bases loaded as the Braves led 8-3.
Soto drew the RBI walk — his third walk of the game. Soto appeared to stare down Smith as he walked to first base. That prompted Smith to tell Soto to get to first base in an unsavory way. Soto laughed it off as he jogged to first.
Braves manager Brian Snitker then made a pitching change as the Nationals closed the gap and the bases remained loaded. As Smith walked off the mound, Soto waved bye to him before motioning to say Smith was crying about the situation.
The Braves clinched the 8-4 win one batter later.
Soto and Smith have had their issues going back to their first meeting in August 2020. Smith took offense with Soto standing at the warning track to pick up Smith pitching instead of standing in the on-deck circle.
Soto replied by hammering a home run while mixing in an epic staredown and bat flip. Fast forward to the next year, and with an opportunity to extract revenge, Smith plunked Soto in the back. One night later, Soto crushed a home off Smith and appeared to blow a kiss at Smith in the Braves bullpen.
The Nationals-Braves division rivalry is intense already. But anytime Soto faces Smith, it’s a must-see TV.
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