In a pivotal moment during Game 7 of the World Series, Isiah Kiner-Falefa found himself at third base with the game on the line. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth, Daulton Varsho hit a ground ball to second base. Miguel Rojas made a remarkable play, fielding the ball and throwing home just in time to tag Kiner-Falefa, keeping the game tied. This moment has been replayed by Blue Jays fans, who are left questioning whether Kiner-Falefa should have attempted to score.

After the game, Kiner-Falefa faced backlash from fans, including threats on social media. Many are wondering if he could have made it home and if his conservative lead off third base was to blame. Kiner-Falefa explained that he was instructed to take a short lead to avoid being vulnerable to a line drive, a strategy influenced by the previous game’s outcome where a baserunning mistake cost the Jays a chance to tie.

Kevin Kiermaier, a former Blue Jay and current outfield instructor for the team, weighed in on the situation. He praised Kiner-Falefa's baserunning skills, stating, "IKF is a great baserunner. Very student-of-the-game type guy." Kiermaier emphasized the importance of taking an appropriate lead off third base, suggesting that players should take as much as the third baseman allows. He noted that in high-pressure situations, he would have taken a larger lead to maximize his chances of scoring.

Kiermaier acknowledged that while Kiner-Falefa followed the coach's instructions, he might have pushed the limits a bit more. He said, "If you’re a rookie and a third-base coach tells you ‘get back there,’ I don’t care how good your game instincts are. But you earn things." This highlights the balance between following coaching advice and trusting one’s instincts in critical moments.

As the play unfolded, Varsho's grounder was not hit hard, allowing Rojas to make an off-balance throw. Kiermaier believed Kiner-Falefa could have scored, stating, "I think he could have scored but he didn’t, and that’s what happened." He also defended Kiner-Falefa's decision to slide into home rather than run through, explaining that sliding can be a safer option in such scenarios. "In that moment, it’s just like, hey, get to the plate and get down and score cause you know it’s coming there," Kiermaier said.

Ultimately, Kiner-Falefa's decision not to push for home plate resulted in a missed opportunity for the Blue Jays, who lost the game two innings later. The incident has sparked discussions among fans and analysts about the complexities of baserunning strategy in high-stakes situations.