Joe Kelly wasn’t on the Dodgers’ squad during the now infamous ‘17 World Series, so when Kelly arrived at Minute Maid Park for the team’s first road series this ‘20 season against the Astros, the slate was clean.

Or so we thought. 

What felt like just another ballgame through the first six 1/3 innings then took a turn after Kelly struck out Carlos Correa to end the bottom of the sixth. Some colorful words were exchanged between Kelly and Correa on their way back to their respective dugouts, and next thing we knew, benches were clear for a socially-distant brawl.

What came more shocking was Kelly’s choice of words during Tuesday’s postgame interview.

“Finally made one good pitch for the punchout and was able to keep the lead where it was,” Kelly said over Zoom. “Especially with us not playing the best baseball the first four games to be able to come out and win against that team.

“They’re a good team, so that was big,” he added.

Take what you make of the scuffle between the Dodgers and Astros, but for Kelly, what’s past is past.

“I don’t remember the words,” Kelly said of his facial expressions. “It was kinda in-the-moment type thing. I guess my expression was what I interpreted in my head what he (Correa) was saying.” 

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