George Springer came up in a huge spot with the bases loaded and the Blue Jays down one to the Red Sox. On a 2-1 count, he ripped a line drive down the third base line that bounced close to the bag. The umpire called it foul, but it looked borderline. The Blue Jays dugout lost it. Springer threw his hands on his head. Manager John Schneider came out to talk, knowing it wasn’t reviewable, but wanted to plead anyway. From the broadcast angle, it looked like the ball might have gone over the bag, which would make it fair. One camera angle suggested it was just left. Another didn’t offer much, and there was no clear view directly over the line.
MLB’s tracking data later showed the ball passing over the bag, backing the idea that it should’ve been a fair ball. But tracking accuracy for that kind of call is still debatable. The Red Sox dugout barely reacted. Springer thought it was fair. The home plate ump stood by his call. After all that drama, the count went full, and then Springer struck out on a pitch out of the zone. He stomped back to the dugout furious. Cameras caught him venting, saying, “If they want New York to win, just tell me and give it to them already.” A shot at MLB, implying bias toward the Yankees in the division race. Meanwhile, New York won their game and gained ground. Springer stayed on the bench, stewing over what might have been a lead-changing double that turned into a missed opportunity.