UPDATE: San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts expressed frustration over a controversial strike call that negatively impacted the team’s postseason hopes during their October 5, 2023 loss to the Chicago Cubs in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series. Bogaerts struck out looking on a pitch that appeared to be outside the strike zone, at a critical moment in the ninth inning.
With the Cubs leading 3-0, Bogaerts came to the plate following a home run from teammate Jackson Merrill, narrowing the deficit to 3-1. On a tense 3-2 count, Cubs pitcher Brad Keller‘s fastball seemed to miss low, prompting disbelief from Bogaerts and a swift response from Padres manager Mike Shildt, who rushed to contest the call.
The stakes were high; had Bogaerts walked, the Padres would have loaded the bases with no outs, creating a golden opportunity to mount a comeback. Instead, Keller proceeded to hit two more batters, but Andrew Kittredge came in and retired the next two, sealing the Cubs’ victory and sending them to face the Milwaukee Brewers in the next round.
Bogaerts did not hold back when addressing the missed call by home-plate umpire D.J. Reyburn. “It’s a ball. Messed up the whole game, you know?” he stated emphatically, as reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune. “I mean, can’t go back in time and talking about it now, won’t change anything. So it was bad, and thank God for ABS next year, because this is terrible.”
The automated ball-strike system (ABS) is set to debut next MLB season after successful trials in the minors and various exhibition games. This system will allow teams to challenge calls made by umpires, a change that Bogaerts believes could have altered the outcome of the game.
Thursday’s defeat overshadowed a successful 90-win season for the Padres, who made the playoffs for the fourth time in six years. Despite the disappointment, Bogaerts reflected positively on the season, highlighting team unity and resilience amid injuries. “We had a lot of fun… It was fun until today,” he said.
As the baseball world anticipates the implementation of ABS, this incident underscores the urgent need for improved accuracy in officiating. Fans and players alike are eager for changes that could reshape the game and prevent similar controversies in the future.
Stay tuned for updates as the MLB postseason unfolds and the Padres regroup for the next season.
