In the MLB postseason, you absolutely cannot afford to let opportunities go to waste — especially in an elimination game. Terry Francona and the Cleveland Guardians may regret that after Tuesday’s Game 5 of the ALDS against the Yankees.
Francona (and really, the Guardians replay coordinator Mike Barnett) had a rough Game 4, missing both of his challenges on obvious calls at first base. That could’ve had Francona more reluctant with his replay challenges in Game 5, but to not even take a look at an obvious missed call? It was curious, to say the least.
The play in question happened in the fourth inning with the Guardians already down three runs. Andres Gimenez hit a grounder to first that forced Anthony Rizzo into a diving race for the bag. Gimenez was called out on the field, but replays would show that the play wasn’t that close at all.
Gimenez looks safe. https://t.co/68bLD3K5RO pic.twitter.com/X7iXnb2XnL
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthewCFB) October 18, 2022
Gimenez was clearly safe. It would have been a quick review and overturn in Cleveland’s favor. But Francona didn’t even appear to give a call upstairs to look at the play. They let the inning come to an end and waste a would-be baserunner.
Again, Francona wasn’t the one watching the replay, but there really needs to be more diligence and better communication with the replay booth. That was a clear missed call, and MLB fans couldn’t believe the Guardians botched that sequence.
This was how Twitter reacted
The Guardians are the worst challenging team of all time oh my god I love Terry Francona lmao
— AT (@YankeeWRLD) October 18, 2022
After some awful challenges by Terry Francona in Game 4, he doesn't challenge that where replay clearly showed Andres Gimenez was safe???
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) October 18, 2022
Terry Francona and the Guardians will challenge obvious out calls, but not obvious safe calls. Nice nice
— Fuzzy (@fuzzyfromyt) October 18, 2022
Looks to me like Francona doesn’t want to win….you have to challenge that. Inexcusable.
— Cleveland Sports Fans (@CLE_SPORTS_FANS) October 18, 2022
Someone should remind Terry Francona that this is a winner-take-all game, and that if Cleveland loses their season is over.
— David Salituro (@DavidSalituro) October 18, 2022
I'm sorry, but I think everyone's missing Francona's plan. If the Guardians are still trailing in the top of the ninth inning, they can say, "Hold up, we'd like to challenge that one play in the fourth inning," and they have to go back and replay the game from there. Brilliant.
— Grant Brisbee (@GrantBrisbee) October 18, 2022
Tito Francona is having a Tony La Russa type game.
The pitching decisions are wild and he didn’t challenge this play:
— Vinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) October 18, 2022
I’m amazed Francona didn’t challenge that call at 1st. He would have won it in five seconds. Thanks for the break, Tito.
— Robert Gaustad (@RMGaustad) October 18, 2022
the guy who tells terry francona and the guardians what plays they should challenge when he gets back to cleveland pic.twitter.com/YWQq7vxaP7
— kathleen (@kathleen_hanley) October 18, 2022
There’s really no excuse to leave that one on the board.
