Astros' Baker fires back at 'heavy accusations' from Tepera, White Sox

Astros manager Dusty Baker isn't sweating comments made by Chicago White Sox reliever Ryan Tepera that inferred Houston may be stealing signs.

Tepera made the remarks after the White Sox won Game 3 of the ALDS. The right-hander noted some differences between the Astros' approach during the first two games in Houston and on the road at Guaranteed Rate Field. However, Baker disagreed with Tepera's analysis of the team's home-road splits.

"Those are heavy accusations," Baker said Monday, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. "We're about the same, runs, OPS ... actually better on the road than we are at home. They're actually better at home than they are on the road."

"I was listening to Eric Clapton this morning, and he had a song: 'Before you accuse me, you need to look at yourself,'" he added, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. "You know what I mean. That's all I got to say.''

The 72-year-old then took a more direct shot at Tepera, a seven-year veteran who was acquired by the White Sox in July.

"He (Tepera) can say what he wants to say. I had never even heard his name before we played the White Sox," Baker said, according to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. "I'm not bothered by it. Most of my life, they've been talking stuff on me anyway. Let them talk."

Astros catcher Martin Maldonado, who was not on the infamous 2017 team, also weighed in on the latest shot at his club:

Only six of their current players - including, most notably, star infielders Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and Alex Bregman - were with the team four years ago. Baker managed the Washington Nationals in 2017 and only took the Houston job after AJ Hinch was fired for his role in the scandal.

The Astros and White Sox will continue their ALDS on Tuesday after rain postponed Game 4. Houston leads the series 2-1.