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Blue Jays: Current and former big league players offer their perspectives on Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s foundation in Game 7
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Blue Jays: Current and former big league players offer their perspectives on Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s foundation in Game 7

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Blue Jays: Current and former big league players offer their perspectives on Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s foundation in Game 7

It’s probably not too much of an exaggeration to say that every game in the World Series is held under a microscope, ready for any baseball fan to dissect.

This year’s World Series was no different, especially when you consider that the matchup between the Blue Jays and Dodgers this year went the full distance of seven games, including an 18-inning Game 3. Baseball watchers have given their two cents on just about everything, but one topic in particular is causing some MLB players – past and present – ​​to speak out on social media, in an effort to educate those who haven’t been in their shoes.

That brings us to Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who came out for Bo Bichette during the ninth inning of Game 7 on Saturday night. After a walk and a hit batter, Kiner-Falefa was on third base, representing not only the winning run, but the World Series-winning run with Daulton Varsho at the plate with just one out.

Unfortunately, Varsho hit a ball to second base, which was fielded by Miguel Rojas. After a small slip, Rojas collected himself and threw the ball to home plate, where Kiner-Falefa was inches out.

After the game, that forced home run quickly became a topic of conversation among many baseball fans. For those who criticized, the question that was in the majority was (among others): “Why didn’t Kiner-Falefa have a bigger lead?”

It’s a fair question, but Kiner-Falefa’s options also presented a double-edged sword. A bigger lead gets him closer to home plate, and he’s probably safe on that ground ball. However, let’s say Varsho rocketed to Rojas and Kiner-Falefa was doubled. Shouldn’t he protect himself against that?

The players came to that.

Tommy Pham, a 12-year veteran and teammate of Kiner-Falefa in Pittsburgh this past season, was one of the first to share his thoughts. Pham raised the possibility that Kiner-Falefa would be eliminated if his lead had been too big. He too replied to a now-deleted post in which he noted that former Gold and Platinum Glove winner Yadier Molina was “buying back a lot of guys with short leads.”

A lot of people are criticizing my boy’s IKF lead, here’s my two cents, you’re as far off as the third baseman gives you, if he’s overly aggressive there and gets a back pick, what would your response be? Situation when the game is on the batter

Former Blue Jay Whit Merrifield also joined the discourse, while also responding to several responses to his own comments. Similar to Pham, Merrifield specified in one of his posts that it’s important to get to a point where you can’t be picked up or doubled anymore. He also stressed that Kiner-Falefa’s actions are commonplace, saying: “30 other clubs would tell IKF the same thing.”
“I believe this is the right play, with a bad result,” Merrifield also said wrote.

He did exactly that here. The #1 rule with the bases loaded and less than 2 outs is that you cannot double play on a line drive to the third baseman. So your lead is as far as the 3rd baseman is out of the bag. He did this perfectly.

IKF’s slim lead and lack of a secondary player were the difference in Toronto not winning a title.

Another player who was almost as expansive and responsive as Merrifield (if not, more so) was another former Blue Jay and 17-year vet, Justin Turner. In his insightful thread, Turner highlighted two key points that could confirm Kiner-Falefa’s lead. First, the fact that the bases are loaded means that there is a force out on home field. If a ball is hit on the ground, as happened in this case, the infielder’s throw will most likely come home, meaning Kiner-Falefa will be fouled out more often than not.

This brings up the next point: eliminating the out on home field still gives the next batter a chance to drive in a run with two outs. This opportunity is eliminated when Kiner-Falefa is doubled on a line drive, and the momentum goes 100% to the Dodgers. Therefore, shortening is safer play.

Turner also shed light on Kiner-Falefa’s slide, which was also criticized by many others. “I’ve also seen a million times people get mad at someone for not sliding,” Turner says said. “I think this is the first time that people are angry because someone is slipping away. It’s actually quite crazy.”

This was my next point and highlights the whatifisms of die-hard fans. You can’t be mad that you were too aggressive to end game 6 and at the same time be mad that you weren’t aggressive enough in game 7. I get it, it’s so easy to replay it over and over again. Players don’t have that luxury.

Lots of experts here. They were also doubled to end the game very recently. There are enough accusations to go around.

These were just a few examples of players offering insights from their own experiences. While the aforementioned three guys provide some defense for Kiner-Falefa, AJ Pierzynski and Erik Kratz Dirty area both agreed that his secondary should have been better, with Kratz saying he shouldn’t have slid. In revisiting the possibilities of a back pick, Pierzynski made the point that Will Smith trying to throw out Kiner-Falefa on third left so much room for error with the chance of his throw going into the outfield, so you could largely rule that out.

Pierzysnki also referenced Addison Barger facing an out to end Game 6 and questioned whether or not the Blue Jays took a safer approach with that play in mind.

Some agree, some disagree with what Kiner-Falefa did. Or you could be like former Oakland A’s pitcher Dallas Braden, who had fun to the casual fan, whom she hilariously dubbed “Steve in sales,” who played for their men’s league team.
Ultimately, Kiner-Falefa was damned if he did, and damned if he didn’t. That play will carry weight given the point in the game it took place, but there were also many other opportunities the Blue Jays had to win that series. Nevertheless, it is entertaining to hear the professionals give their opinions on the game. Moreover, they are the ones who have been in that same position.

PRESENTED BY VIVID CHAIRS

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