Yandy Diaz's controversial World Series Game 2 ending was a disaster of timing for Rob Manfred

Game 2 of the World Series came to an end in one of the more frustrating ways for the Tampa Bay Rays. With the tying run on in the ninth inning, Yandy Diaz had strike three called on him during a checked swing attempt.

Nearly every angle shows that he went. This isn’t even an argument in favor of the fact that he checked his swing, and the at-bat should have continued. 

While clearly frustrated in the moment, Diaz himself said after that he struck out. 

"Nothing, it was a strikeout and, ultimately, we lost," he said via Fox 13. 

Then again, he is someone who doesn’t even challenge balls and strikes. He tends to just accept the calls. 

If you’re the Rays, you’re also looking back at the 4-0 lead that you possessed and thinking of the fact that they didn’t have to be in this position in the first place. 

However, the moment still creates a point of discussion in favor of making this a reviewable play. A play can still have been correct, and a case is made to make it reviewable. 

Even just the discourse after the game could prove to be enough of a headache to warrant it. It’s reviewed. People can see it on TV in real time, and then it’s over. 

What also needs to be acknowledged is that while it’s clear on the replay that Diaz swung, it could have easily been more gray. It could have also been the wrong call, and it decided a World Series game. 

If that had been the case, then MLB would have a major disaster on its hands. 

Previously, a system has been in the works to make them reviewable, but it hasn’t been implemented. Moments like these speed that process up a bit. 

Knowing how many camera angles there are, especially in the postseason, it shouldn’t be that difficult to implement by now. A decade ago, when replay was much newer, there would have been more of an actual discussion. They’re long removed from just being able to debate if there was a home run or not. 

If balls and strikes have the infrastructure to be reviewed, then a check swing does as well. We’ll have to see what transpires over the offseason. 

MLB already has the right to make on-field rule changes with 45 days' notice. It’s hard to imagine that they’ll give that up in the latest talks. So, expect that to stick around, and it wouldn’t be surprising if a new replay rule came about for next season.

Maybe it’ll get the nickname “The Yandy Diaz Rule,” too. It’s a moment he experienced in the World Series. It could easily become part of his legacy. 

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