The Los Angeles Dodgers faced off against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night in Game 6 of the World Series with a chance to win the team’s first Fall Classic since 1988.
The game was tight early, with the Rays’ starting pitcher Blake Snell only allowing two hits and making nine strikeouts in the first four innings.
Blake Snell is the 1st pitcher with 9 strikeouts through 4 innings of a World Series game since Sandy Koufax in Game 1 of 1963 World Series against the Yankees.
Koufax finished that game with 15 strikeouts in a complete game effort, a 5-2 Dodgers win. pic.twitter.com/e4lvt0Sptv
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 28, 2020
However, Rays manager Kevin Cash opted to remove Snell (who was only sitting at 70 pitches thrown when he was pulled).
As expected, this puzzling move in the World Series set the internet ablaze, as a wide variety of sports luminaries reacted with shock, surprise and consternation.
Masterful pundit Stephen A. Smith responded with a two-tweet thread stating:
“Why in the Hell would Kevin Cash take Snell out of this game at that point, just because he gave up 1 hit??? Why? Why? Why? I mean… I want the Dodger to win a WS finally, but damn,” and then:
“So let me get this straight: Rays manager Cash took out Snell, a lefty, vs Betts — who batted .218 vs lefties — to bring in a R-Hander who’s given up runs in 6-straight postseason appearances? Sound like the Manager dropped the proverbial ball on this one.”
Stephen A. seemed to have his pulse on how most people felt about the move in the World Series, as these tweets convey:
Crazy he gave up only his second hit of the game and got pulled! #WorldSeries
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) October 28, 2020
The #Rays front office & computers may end up being the MVP for the #Dodgers. #WorldSeries
— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) October 28, 2020
Kevin Cash really pulled Blake Snell from the game and the Rays immediately lost the lead@draysbay pic.twitter.com/X3dJkPce9j
— SB Nation (@SBNation) October 28, 2020
Kevin Cash right now pic.twitter.com/mpBNQGs4rU
— SNY (@SNYtv) October 28, 2020
So who gets to pull the manager? #worldseries
— Noah Syndergaard (@Noahsyndergaard) October 28, 2020
We have given the @Dodgers life ! I really can’t believe @snellzilla4 is out of the game 70 pitches & dominant taken out I can’t believe it especially with our bats .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) October 28, 2020
As you can see, all manner of folks agreed with Stephen A. about pulling Blake Snell, including fellow MLB pitcher Noah Syndergaard, college hoops legend Dick Vitale and MVP NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The Rays immediately gave up the lead when Snell left the game, so the early returns for that World Series decision were not great.