The New York Yankees arrived in Toronto ready to keep their postseason dream alive. After sweeping the Red Sox in the Wild Card round, the Bronx Bombers carried momentum and confidence into Rogers Centre. Both the Yankees and Blue Jays shared identical records, but Toronto held the tiebreaker. New York’s mission was simple: take control where it counts-on the field.
Luis Gil started for the Yankees, facing Toronto ace Kevin Gausman in what felt like an October showdown. The buzz was electric, until one play in the first inning changed the tone of the night.
The Controversial Trent Grisham Call
Trent Grisham stepped up to the plate and made solid contact. Replays showed the ball appeared to hit his foot before rolling into fair territory-a clear sign it should’ve been ruled foul. But the umpiring crew missed it. They called the play fair, sending Grisham out and ending the chance for an early rally.
The problem? MLB rules don’t allow reviews on whether a ball strikes a batter. So the Yankees had no way to challenge it. Within seconds, frustration poured out across the stands and online.
“How is that not reviewable?” one fan posted on X, echoing the outrage sweeping through Yankees Nation. Others highlighted a season-long pattern of questionable umpiring decisions that have cost New York key moments. Even manager Aaron Boone, who’s been ejected multiple times this year, looked stunned in the dugout.
Blue Jays fans didn’t stay quiet either. They reminded everyone of George Springer’s controversial foul-ball call earlier this season-a moment that had Toronto fans yelling about their bad luck. The irony wasn’t lost on anyone.
Aaron Judge tried to rally the team with a sharp single, but Cody Bellinger and Rice couldn’t bring him home. The inning fizzled out, the tension still thick in the air.
Robot Umps and Replay: The Future of Fair Play
The debate over MLB’s limited replay rules reignited instantly. Fans and analysts across platforms called for a change. According to Sports Illustrated and Larry Brown Sports, the league’s automated strike-zone technology-nicknamed “robot umps”-is expected to roll out next season.
For many in the Bronx, it can’t come soon enough. The Yankees went on to lose momentum, but for their fans, the night will be remembered less for the box score and more for the missed call that shouldn’t have happened.
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