In Game 5 of the World Series, the Rays tried to get creative against Clayton Kershaw, and it nearly worked. After walking and stealing second, Manny Margot advanced to third on a heads-up baserunning play after a misplay allowed the ball to roll into shallow right. With no outs and the tying run on third, the Rays had a golden chance. Kershaw walked the next batter, then retired the following two hitters. With two outs, Margot made a bold move and tried to steal home. Kershaw, mid-windup, stepped off the rubber, thanks to a heads-up warning from Max Muncie at first base. He fired home with a quick, clean motion, and Austin Barnes applied the tag just before Margot could touch the plate.
Replays confirmed the tag beat him, and to make matters worse, Margot cut his lip as his helmet hit him during the slide. It was a huge momentum swing. Kershaw avoided a run without giving up a hit in the inning. In the bottom half, Muncie crushed a 99 mph fastball into the seats, extending the Dodgers’ lead. His heads-up awareness on defense and big bat on offense made a serious impact. The Rays had a shot to shift the game in their favor with a gutsy move, but Kershaw and the Dodgers shut it down.