What would have happened if… Plays that changed everything in the World Series
The World Series had key situations that changed the script on the field of play and here we review them
‘There is no such thing’ is an accurate popular voice that is always used, at any time of day to day. And the 2025 World Series is no exception. There were key moments that marked the course of the Fall Classic and that make us fans ask, ‘what would have happened if…?’
Let’s see here some plays from the recent World Series that lead us to ask ourselves the famous question and that also confirm that baseball is a game of millimeter precision.
The dead ball that saved the Dodgers
In Game 6, the Toronto Blue Jays had a moment that could have tied the game in the ninth inning, however, a fortuitous, pinpoint play took away that opportunity. Bottom of the ninth roll, Alejandro Kirk was hit opening the shootout and was replaced at first by pinch-runner Myles Straw. Next, with no out on the board, Addison Barger hit a deep shot to center, impossible for Justin Dean and Kiké Hernández. Upon realizing that the ball had embedded itself under the wall, the Puerto Rican immediately raised his arms and was responded to by Dean, who made the same warning with his arms, to tell the umpires that it was a dead ball. This prevented the first runner from scoring the run and Barger from being forced to run at second, since with the ball alive he could have perhaps taken another base.
Here, the terrain itself worked against the Blue Jays. Since the era of video review of plays, umpires have been advised to let plays of this type run their course as if the ball were live and, once completed, go to the review and make the assignment of bases, as was the case, if it is determined that the ball was indeed dead. If that Barger hit had remained alive, Straw would surely have scored the home team’s second run to make the game 3-2, and they would have had a runner on second or third with no out; On the contrary, the two men remained parked at the last bases and the game ended 3-1 for the Dodgers, who scored three runs in the third inning, which were enough to win Game 6 and force the last and final one, despite the fact that in the rest of the game they were tied up by the arms of the Blue Jays.
Maximum concentration of Kiké and habemus Game 7
In Game 6 itself, the end of the match was spectacular and it was demonstrated that Kiké Hernández is a man involved in the game. With runners on the last two bags, Andrés Giménez lined into left field. If Kiké Hernández had not been playing short (that is how the outfield is usually played with the tying runs in scoring position in the last inning), that ball would have hit and Toronto perhaps would have tied the game; However, he attacked and, on the run, very attentive, threw to second to force Addison Barger, who returned with a header, but he did not do so before the ball reached the glove of Miguel Rojas, to whom tremendous credit must be given, if the throw had been deflected or if Rojas had not lifted ‘botepronto’, as he did, perhaps the ball would have drifted and the man on third would have scored. Again, a play of millimeters.
Infield, fundamental baseball that did work
In Game 7 of the World Series you will remember the house full with one out in the ninth inning. The inning began with a fly to center by Vladimir Guerrero off the pitches of Blake Snell, then came a single to left by Bo Bichette, who due to his knee injury was replaced by pinch-runner Isiah Kiner-Falefa; Next, Addison Barger walked and the pitcher changed, yes, Yoshinobu Yamamoto appeared, who loaded the bases with a pitch to Alejandro Kirk. With the house full and one out, the team played inside to avoid the Blue Jays’ coronation race.
Daulton Varsho grounded to second base and Miguel Rojas did a great job to pick up the ground ball and throw it home, where Will Smith was already waiting for the throw; To the good fortune of Los Angeles, the forced out came true and they avoided the title race for the locals. However, when watching the video, you can see how Kiner Falefa was standing very close to the third mat, he should have opened more, with a full house, just to gain ground in a situation like the one that arose. If the Hawaiian had opened more, he would surely have hit that ground ball and the story would have been different.
Dave Roberts saw the future and brought Pages in
Also in Game 7, a play that will now be among the best of all time in the history of the World Series, was the one signed by center fielder Andy Pages. But before remembering it, we will have to give all the credit to the manager Dave Robertswho, in search of greater defensive guarantees, made the master move, removing Tommy Edman from the game and from center field and bringing in Pages. It seems that Roberts has seen the future. This play occurred in the same low ninth inning in which we already remember Miguel Rojas’s attempt to force the out at home plate with the infield inside. This time, with two outs on the board and the house full, Ernie Clement detonated a hit that hit Kiké Hernández at the foot of the fence, but providentially, in an impressive run from center field, Pages miraculously appeared to take the air ball against the wall and against Hernández himself, whom he ran over, to complete the last out. A few seconds later Pages’ glove would have arrived or the collision with his teammate would have knocked the ball over and we would be talking about the coronation of the Canadians.
There is no such thing, baseball is a millimeter sport and what a World Series we have just experienced!
