Manuel Margot blew a scoring opportunity for the Rays with an awful baserunning decision against the Dodgers.
The Rays already had a 1-0 lead over the Dodgers in Game 2 of the World Series and they were in a great position to add another.
Then Manuel Margot’s baserunning happened.
With one out in the top of the second inning, Margot took off from third when Willy Adames made contact with a pitch from Dylan Floro. However, the hit went straight to Corey Seager who made the simple throw home.
Seager guns down Margot at the plate to save a run and help under bettors (8.5) https://t.co/yKunRHN0vt
— ClutchPoints Betting (@CPBetting) October 22, 2020
Just like that, Margot was out.
To be fair, Margot had done well to get where he was. He was walked to start the inning then made it to third on a fly ball to centerfield. However, from there he blew his chance to score a run by getting way too greedy.
There simply was no way, bar an extremely wild throw, he was going to score there. That’s not a gamble any player should be taking in such a critical game.
Manuel Margot’s baserunning blunder cost the Rays
If you’re wondering why on earth Margot even tried to go home in that situation, you’re not alone. Twitter responded to the gaff with a general sense of disbelief.
what on *earth* was Margot doing there?
— Michael Baumann (@MichaelBaumann) October 22, 2020
Infield in, ball hit right at a guy. Why the hell does Margot run? Why do these teams use the contact play when the infield is in? It’s absolutely idiotic.
— Sal Maiorana (@salmaiorana) October 22, 2020
Manuel Margot made that choice before the ball was even hit. That's how desperate the #RaysUp are for runs. But Kiermaier has been hitting lately, so I do not understand the call. Just rash thinking.
— A.J. "The Queen of Ice" Andrews ⚧️♀️🏳️🌈 (@A_J_Andrews) October 22, 2020
Watching Manny Margot take off on that ball was like watching a horror movie. "No, what the hell are you doing! You are going to die!"
— Benjy Ogden 🇺🇦 (@BenjyOgden) October 22, 2020
Baserunning was an unfortunate theme for the Rays in the inning. The final out came when Adames tried to steal second and was caught.
On the plus side for Tampa Bay, they retained their narrow lead even if they weren’t able to add to it.
The trouble for the Rays, of course, is how hot the Dodgers’ bats were in Game 1, which they won 8-3. A 1-0 lead probably isn’t going to see them to a victory, even if Blake Snell started the game rather well.