Intentional Walks Under Scrutiny After Record-Setting World Series Game

The practice of intentionally walking batters is facing increased criticism following a marathon 18-inning game in the World Series yesterday, where Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider repeatedly chose to avoid pitching to Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani was intentionally walked four times and walked once unintentionally during the game, which the Dodgers ultimately won. This strategy drew criticism from fans and even Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who admitted, “That’s fair. That’s a fair take,” when asked about the frustration of paying customers wanting to see Ohtani swing the bat. The intentional walk was instituted as a rule change prior to the 2017 season, replacing the previous requirement of four pitches outside the strike zone.

Critics argue the tactic removes the game’s most compelling element and isn’t necessarily effective; the San Francisco Giants, during Barry Bonds’ career, scored 30% of the time when he was intentionally walked. Schneider defended his decision, stating he’d “rather have anyone else beat his team” than Ohtani, but the strategy backfired when Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off home run after being intentionally walked around Ohtani in a previous inning. This outcome highlights a growing debate about competitive balance in Major League Baseball and the impact of strategic decisions on game length and fan engagement.

The debate extends beyond this single game, with some suggesting the rule should be abolished altogether. Roberts even stated, “Obviously, for me on the bias side, I would probably say I wish we could outlaw it because it would benefit the Dodgers.” MLB has already made accommodations for Ohtani’s unique two-way abilities, allowing him to remain in the lineup as a designated hitter after pitching. Officials have not yet commented on potential rule changes, but the discussion is expected to continue as the series progresses.