Ump Show: Laz Diaz yells at Cubs bench after tough strike call (Video)

MLB umpire Laz Diaz made it a point to call out the Chicago Cubs bench after a tough strike call.

Having Diaz and CB Bucknor on the same crew feels like overkill from MLB’s part, but we wish the Cubs and Giants the best in what should be anything but a routine series by the Bay.

In the top of the fifth inning, Giants pitcher Anthony DeSclafani got a generous strike call from Diaz with opposing pitcher Zach Davies at the plate. While the pitch did look like a strike per the zone on live broadcast, it was the culmination of a handfull of controversial calls that all went against the Cubs.

Chicago had been unhappy with Diaz all night, and eventually he’d had enough of the jeering.

Cubs: MLB umpires have been at their worst in 2021, it seems

Ideally, umpires would never distract from a matchup between two of the best teams in the National League. Hence, the days of the modern day umpire aren’t good for baseball itself.

The Cubs are on a tear, holding a surprising lead in the NL Central over the favored St. Louis Cardinals. The Giants, meanwhile, are in a similar boat, holding off the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres in the NL West.

Hopefully, Diaz can avoid confrontation moving forward. The game isn’t about him.